Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta dish that offers a rich texture without the use of cream cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or an impressive meal for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients by cubing the chicken, mincing the garlic, and grating the parmesan.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then cook in a single layer until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter and melted over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes, then pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream or milk and let sauce simmer for another 3-4 minutes until slightly thicker. Add Parmesan and whisk until smooth.
- Combine chicken and cooked pasta in the skillet, tossing to coat. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency. Garnish with parsley.
- Serve immediately, optionally with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
Use freshly minced garlic and grated Parmesan for optimal flavor and texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg