Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
• 1 lb chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing chicken)
• 2 tbsp butter (unsalted)
• 4 garlic (cloves, minced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. 2

   While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

4. 4

   In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

5. 5

   Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

6. 6

   Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.

7. 7

   Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated in the sauce.

8. 8

   Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a lighter version, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with chicken broth, though the sauce will be less thick. Ensure you use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting consistency.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• chicken
• dinner
• creamy
• quick
• weeknight meal