Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast (Pound slightly for even cooking)
• salt (To taste, for seasoning the chicken)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder (For the chicken)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (For the chicken)
• 1 tsp black pepper (For the chicken)
• 2 tbsp oil (For the marinade)
• 2 tbsp clarified butter (ghee) (For cooking the chicken)
• 1 tbsp butter (For the sauce)
• 1 small yellow onion (Finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh garlic (Minced)
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (For thickening the sauce)
• 1.5 cup chicken broth (Alternatively, use 1 chicken bouillon cube plus 1 1/2 cups water)
• 1.5 cup unsweetened heavy whipping cream (For the sauce)
• salt (To taste, for the sauce)
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika powder (For the sauce)
• 1 tsp red chili flakes (For the sauce)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (For the sauce)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (For the sauce)
• 1 tbsp dried parsley (Added with the Parmesan)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (For the sauce)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated; additional Parmesan may be used if desired)
• 10 oz pasta (Pasta of choice, boiled according to package instructions)

Steps

1. 1

   Pound the chicken breast slightly so it has an even thickness and cooks evenly.

2. 2

   Season the chicken with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Drizzle with the oil and mix until evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour.

3. 3

   Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the clarified butter and allow it to become hot.

4. 4

   Add the marinated chicken to the hot pan. Cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

5. 5

   Remove the chicken from the pan, slice it, and set it aside.

6. 6

   In the same pan, add the butter. Once it has melted, add the chopped onion and sauté for 1 minute, until translucent.

7. 7

   Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

8. 8

   Add the sauce seasonings: salt, smoked paprika, red chili flakes, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix everything together.

9. 9

   Add the flour and stir it into the seasoned onion mixture. Cook for 1 minute.

10. 10

    Gradually add the chicken broth while mixing, then cook over medium heat for 2–4 minutes, until the sauce thickens.

11. 11

    Stir in the heavy whipping cream and whisk until the sauce thickens further.

12. 12

    Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and dried parsley. Mix well until incorporated.

13. 13

    Add the pasta that has been boiled according to the package instructions and mix it into the sauce.

14. 14

    Top the pasta with the sliced chicken. Mix everything together and finish with more Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

The source does not specify the pasta boiling water, pasta cooking time, or the exact amount of salt. Use either 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or 1 chicken bouillon cube dissolved in 1 1/2 cups water. Check the chicken with a thermometer for the stated 165°F internal temperature.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• chicken
• creamy
• Italian-inspired
• stovetop
• comfort food