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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A creamy, savory pasta dish with tender chicken bites and rich garlic parmesan sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 700
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs 1 ½ lbs (680g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces Choose firm and pale chicken breasts.
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp 4 tbsp butter, divided
  • 4 cloves 4 garlic cloves, minced Fresh garlic preferred for best flavor.
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp ½ tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp ½ tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional) For added heat.
For the Pasta
  • 12 oz 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti) Cooked until al dente.
For the Sauce
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1.5 cups 1 ½ cups (360ml) heavy cream Can be substituted for lighter options.
  • 1 cup 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated is preferable.
  • 0.5 tsp ½ tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp ½ tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 cup ¼ cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley For garnish.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Boil a pot of salted water and add the pasta. Cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chicken pieces and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken and set aside.
Making the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese while stirring constantly until melted and the sauce is creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat.
  2. Return the chicken to the skillet, stirring gently to combine and heat through for an additional minute.
Serving
  1. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stove.