Craving a dinner that satisfies your comfort food desires without derailing your health goals? Look no further! Introducing Creamy Chicken Pasta, your new go-to recipe for busy weeknights. It’s quick to prepare, packed with wholesome ingredients, and bursting with delicious flavor. I first made this after a long day at work, completely exhausted, and it was a lifesaver – a delicious meal on the table in under 30 minutes. It’s become a regular in my rotation for a reason!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
My grandmother, Nana Rose, had a knack for making the most simple ingredients taste like a feast. While she wasn’t a huge pasta person, she loved creamy dishes. I developed Creamy Chicken Pasta with her in mind – a comforting, luxurious-feeling meal that’s secretly quite healthy and easy to throw together. It’s her subtle touch of culinary wisdom, modernized for a faster-paced world. Every time I make it, I remember watching her stir a pot on the stove, creating magic from seemingly nothing.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas or broccoli florets
**Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe**
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta and the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Vegetables (Optional): If using, add frozen peas or broccoli florets during the last few minutes of cooking to heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy your Creamy Chicken Pasta!
Creamy Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, salt and pepper
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.1 pound pasta
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.1 cup chicken broth
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta and the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce.1 pound pasta, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Vegetables (Optional): If using, add frozen peas or broccoli florets during the last few minutes of cooking to heat through.1 cup frozen peas or broccoli florets
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
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