Are you tired of complicated recipes and endless dishes to wash? Get ready to revolutionize your dinner routine with the most incredible One Pot Chicken Pasta that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort! This creamy, cheesy, and utterly irresistible dish will transform your weeknight cooking from mundane to magical in just 30 minutes. Imagine a single pan creating a restaurant-quality meal that will have your family begging for seconds - and the best part? Cleanup is a breeze!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. Mince the garlic cloves and chop fresh parsley for garnish.
- Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.
- Season the diced chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the hot pan and cook until golden brown and nearly cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté with the chicken for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in chicken broth and uncooked penne pasta. Stir to combine and ensure pasta is mostly submerged in liquid.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Once pasta is almost tender, stir in heavy cream and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
- Serve hot, directly from the pan, ensuring each serving gets a good mix of chicken, pasta, and creamy sauce.
Tips
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh garlic and recently grated parmesan cheese can dramatically improve the dish's flavor profile.
- Don't overcook the chicken: Aim for golden brown edges to lock in moisture and prevent dry meat.
- Stir occasionally: This prevents pasta from sticking and ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
- Let the dish rest: Those extra 2-3 minutes after cooking allow the sauce to thicken and develop richer flavors.
- Choose the right pan: A large, deep skillet or Dutch oven is crucial for even heat distribution and preventing overflow.
- Customize your pasta: While penne works great, you can experiment with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli.
- Optional protein boost: For extra protein, you can add a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits or some sautéed mushrooms.Pro tip: If the sauce seems too thick, you can always add a splash of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 650kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 40g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Cholesterol: 130mg
