Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta with Italian Seasoning
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Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta with Italian Seasoning
Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta with Italian Seasoning is a quick and comforting weeknight meal featuring tender chicken pieces in a luscious garlic cream sauce with aromatic Italian herbs, tossed with pasta for a flavorful and satisfying dish ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free pasta)
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Flavorings and Seasonings
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauces and Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fats
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, mince fresh garlic, and measure out pasta and seasonings to have everything ready before cooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Garlic and Seasonings: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and Italian seasoning, sautéing just until fragrant (about 30 seconds) to maximize flavor without bitterness.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it thicken slightly, then stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and silky.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and toss to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water gradually if the sauce needs loosening. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best vibrant flavor compared to pre-minced or powdered.
- Cook chicken just until done to keep it tender and juicy; avoid overcooking.
- Reserve pasta water to help achieve the perfect creamy sauce consistency by loosening the sauce as needed.
- Cook garlic gently to avoid burning, which can cause bitterness in the sauce.
- Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for better melting and richer creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: creamy garlic chicken pasta, Italian seasoning pasta, quick chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, creamy chicken pasta
