Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast (Pound slightly for even cooking)
• salt (To taste, for chicken)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder (For chicken)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (For chicken)
• 1 tsp black pepper (For 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
• 1.5 cup chicken broth (Alternatively, use 1 chicken bouillon cube plus 1 1/2 cups water)
• 1.5 cup unsweetened heavy whipping cream
• salt (To taste, for the sauce)
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika powder (For the sauce)
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (For the sauce)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (For the sauce)
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 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 breasts slightly so they are an even thickness and cook evenly.

2. 2

   Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Drizzle with the oil and mix until evenly coated. Let the chicken 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 partway 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 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 smoked paprika, red chili flakes, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix the seasonings together in the pan.

10. 10

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

11. 11

    Gradually add the chicken broth, mixing continuously 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 according to the package instructions, then add it to the sauce.

15. 15

    Top the pasta with the sliced chicken and mix everything together.

16. 16

    Finish with more Parmesan cheese if desired, then serve and enjoy.

Notes

The source gives chicken broth as an alternative to one chicken bouillon cube plus 1 1/2 cups water. The pasta is to be boiled according to its package instructions; the source does not specify a pasta shape or exact boiling time. The source says to top with additional Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• chicken
• creamy
• Italian-American
• stovetop
• marinated
• comfort food