creamy chicken pasta
Indulge in this quick and delightful Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe, featuring tender pieces of chicken breast bathed in a rich, velvety Parmesan cream sauce. It's a perfect meal for busy weeknights, offering comforting flavors that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta or pasta of your choice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
- 2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a kick
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for another minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream. Continue to simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and smooth. Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached. Season with red pepper flakes (if using) and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For an even richer flavor, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts. Feel free to add other vegetables like sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers along with the spinach during step 5. This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad and warm, crusty bread.
Nutrition
Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg
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