Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast (Pound slightly for even cooking.)
• salt (To taste, for 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 chicken 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 (For the sauce.)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (For the sauce.)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated; additional Parmesan may be used for topping if desired.)
• 10 oz pasta (Pasta of choice, boiled according to package instructions.)

Steps

1. 1

   Pound the chicken breast slightly so it will cook evenly.

2. 2

   Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Drizzle with the marinade 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 or ghee and allow it to become hot.

4. 4

   Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping it during cooking, 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 and let it melt.

7. 7

   Add the chopped onion and sauté for 1 minute, until translucent.

8. 8

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

9. 9

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

10. 10

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

11. 11

    Gradually add the chicken broth, mixing as you pour, until the sauce thickens. Cook over medium heat for 2–4 minutes.

12. 12

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

13. 13

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

14. 14

    Boil the pasta of your choice according to the package instructions.

15. 15

    Add the boiled pasta to the sauce and mix to coat it.

16. 16

    Top the pasta with the sliced chicken, then mix everything together. Top with more Parmesan cheese if desired and serve.

Notes

The source does not specify the pasta boiling time or a final sauce consistency beyond stating that it should thicken. The chicken broth may be replaced with 1 chicken bouillon cube dissolved in 1 1/2 cups water.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• chicken
• Italian-inspired
• creamy
• high-protein
• stovetop
• weeknight meal