Imagine a dish so luxuriously creamy and packed with flavor that it transforms an ordinary weeknight dinner into a gourmet experience. This Creamy Italian Chicken Over Pasta is not just a meal—it's a culinary journey that combines tender, perfectly seasoned chicken with a velvety Parmesan sauce that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds. In just 45 minutes, you can create a restaurant-worthy dish that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by cutting chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until cream starts to thicken slightly.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in a separate pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese to the cream sauce, stirring until smoothly incorporated and sauce becomes creamy.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat evenly with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Plate the pasta and top with the creamy chicken, garnishing with chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately while hot, optionally with additional Parmesan cheese on the side.
Tips
- Chicken Cooking Tip: Pat the chicken pieces dry before seasoning to ensure they brown beautifully and develop a golden crust.
- Sauce Perfection: Keep the heat low when adding cream to prevent curdling, and stir continuously for a smooth, silky sauce.
- Pasta Hack: Reserve a little pasta water before draining. If your sauce needs thinning, a splash of pasta water can help achieve the perfect consistency.
- Flavor Boost: Toast the Italian seasoning in the pan with the chicken for a few seconds to release its full aromatic potential.
- Garnish Like a Pro: Freshly chopped parsley not only adds color but also a bright, fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of the cream sauce.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately while hot to enjoy the sauce at its creamiest and the chicken at its most tender.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 620kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 145mg
