Craving a truly satisfying meal that doesn’t keep you in the kitchen all evening? This creamy chicken pasta recipe is your answer. It’s a comforting classic, loaded with tender chicken and a rich, velvety sauce. Get ready to transform simple ingredients into a delicious dinner in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
- Rich, Satisfying Flavor Profile: Enjoy tender chicken enveloped in a luscious, savory sauce.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You likely have most of these pantry staples already on hand.
- Family-Friendly and Customizable: Even picky eaters will enjoy this mild yet flavorful creamy pasta dish.
- Brightened by Fresh Lemon: A touch of lemon juice and zest cuts through the richness, adding a delightful freshness.
Ingredients
Gather these fresh, wholesome ingredients to create an incredible creamy chicken pasta. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor.
- 200 grams dried pasta or 300 grams fresh pasta: Choose your favorite shape, such as fettuccine, rigatoni, or linguine.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For sautéing the chicken.
- 1 x chicken breast ((see notes)): Boneless, skinless for quick cooking.
- 1 tablespoon flour: A light dusting helps create a golden crust on the chicken.
- 1 tablespoon butter: Adds richness to the sauce base.
- 3 garlic cloves (finely chopped): Essential for a fragrant, flavorful foundation.
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves (roughly chopped): Provides an aromatic, earthy note.
- 3/4 cup cream: The heart of our velvety sauce.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper: Freshly ground enhances the taste.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Brightens and balances the rich sauce.
- 50 grams parmesan (very finely grated): For a salty, umami depth.
- Lemon zest and extra rosemary to finish: For garnish and added fresh aroma.
Notes & Substitutions
Achieving perfectly cooked chicken and a silky sauce is simple with these tips.
- Chicken Breast Flattening: Flattening your chicken breast to an even thickness ensures it cooks quickly and uniformly. This prevents dry spots and keeps the chicken tender.
- Chicken Thighs: For a richer flavor and even juicier results, swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Adjust cooking time slightly if they are thicker.
- Cream Types: You can use light/single cream for a slightly less rich sauce or heavy cream for ultimate decadence. Both work wonderfully in this delicious creamy chicken pasta.
- Parmesan Cheese: Always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-grated cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty instead of smooth. Understanding the difference, a report from The Counter highlights the common use of anti-caking agents in pre-grated cheese to prevent clumping.
- Herb Alternatives: If you don’t have fresh rosemary, fresh thyme or sage are excellent substitutes. Use about a teaspoon of dried herbs if fresh is unavailable.
Equipment
You won’t need many special tools for this comforting dish. Just a few kitchen essentials will do.
- Large pot: For cooking the pasta to perfection.
- Large skillet or frying pan: Ideal for cooking the chicken and building the sauce.
- Tongs or spatula: Useful for flipping chicken and tossing pasta.
- Microplane or box grater: For grating fresh Parmesan and lemon zest.
- Rolling pin (optional): To flatten chicken breasts evenly.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient amounts.
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to create the ultimate creamy chicken pasta. We break down each part to make cooking effortless and enjoyable for everyone.
First, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook it according to package directions, but remove it one minute before the recommended time. Before draining, reserve one cup of the starchy pasta water; this is crucial for the sauce.
While the pasta cooks, prepare your chicken. Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the chicken breast. Using a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness, about 1-1.5 cm. This ensures even cooking. Season both sides of the flattened chicken breast generously with salt and pepper. Lightly dust each side with the flour.
Heat the olive oil in a large fry pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the floured chicken. Pan-fry the chicken for about 2 minutes per side, or until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and lightly wrap it in foil. Set it aside to rest; this keeps it juicy.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the finely chopped garlic and gently fry for one minute, making sure it doesn’t brown. Over-browning garlic can make it bitter. Stir in the roughly chopped fresh rosemary and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the cream and bring it to a very gentle simmer. Lower the heat if necessary; the cream should not boil vigorously. Gradually add the very finely grated Parmesan cheese in 2 or 3 separate lots, mixing well after each addition until it completely melts into the sauce. This prevents clumping.
Stir in the black pepper and lemon juice, mixing quickly to combine. Now, add about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce. Let it gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly to your desired consistency.
Add the undercooked pasta directly into the sauce in the skillet. Toss everything together to thoroughly coat the pasta. Let it gently bubble away in the sauce for another minute or two, allowing the pasta to finish cooking and absorb the flavors.
Finally, slice the rested chicken breast against the grain into thin strips. Serve the pasta immediately with the chicken pieces arranged on top or tossed through the creamy sauce. Garnish with extra fresh rosemary leaves, a sprinkle of freshly grated lemon zest, and more Parmesan cheese if you wish. Enjoy your delightful creamy chicken pasta!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
These expert tips will help ensure your creamy chicken pasta turns out perfect every time.
- Flatten Chicken for Even Cooking: Uniformly thin chicken cooks faster and more evenly, preventing dry spots.
- Maintain Gentle Simmer for Sauce: High heat can cause cream to curdle or cheese to seize. Keep the heat low and steady.
- Undercook Pasta by One Minute: The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce, absorbing its flavors and preventing overcooked, mushy noodles.
- Always Reserve Starchy Pasta Water: This starchy liquid is your secret weapon for emulsifying the sauce and achieving the perfect consistency. For a deeper dive into the technique, Serious Eats offers a scientific explanation of pasta water’s role in sauce emulsification.
- Salt Pasta Water Generously: Pasta absorbs salt as it cooks, which is your only chance to season the pasta itself from the inside out.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency with Pasta Water: If your sauce is too thick, gradually add more reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it’s just right.
- Prevent Cheese Clumping in Sauce: Add grated Parmesan slowly and stir constantly over low heat. Using finely grated fresh Parmesan also helps.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
Enhance your creamy chicken pasta experience with these suggestions.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with an extra sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Garnish generously with fresh rosemary leaves and bright lemon zest.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat.
- Offer a side of warm, crusty bread to soak up every last bit of delicious sauce.
- A simple green salad makes a refreshing accompaniment.
- Storage Instructions:
- Store any leftover creamy pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- It will keep well for 2-3 days.
- When reheating, add a splash of water or extra cream to loosen the sauce. Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Recipe Variations:
- Veggies: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach, or cooked broccoli florets for added nutrients and color.
- Protein Swap: Replace chicken with cooked shrimp or even crispy bacon pieces for a different flavor profile.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce can add a nice warmth.
Nutrition
This homemade creamy chicken pasta offers a balanced meal with control over fresh ingredients. The exact nutritional content varies based on specific brands and quantities used. Making it at home allows you to manage sodium and fat levels effectively.
Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving, based on the ingredients provided:
| Nutrient | Amount (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 550-650 kcal |
| Protein | 30-35 g |
| Fat | 30-40 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40-50 g |
*Estimated values per serving, based on a recipe yielding 2-3 servings.
FAQ
Got questions about making this fantastic creamy chicken pasta? We have answers!
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs add a richer flavor and tend to stay juicier. Just ensure they are cooked through.
Q: What pasta shapes work best for this recipe?
A: Long pasta like fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti are excellent for coating evenly with the creamy sauce. Short shapes like penne or rigatoni also work well.
Q: How do I store leftovers of this creamy chicken pasta?
A: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce.
Q: What type of cream should I use for the best results?
A: Heavy cream will give the richest, most decadent sauce. For a slightly lighter option, single or light cream works perfectly fine and still delivers a delicious creamy texture.
Conclusion
This creamy chicken pasta truly embodies simple, delicious cooking that fits any schedule. It’s a comforting dish that proves you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. We hope you feel confident to whip up this flavorful meal and bring smiles to your family’s faces. Give this easy recipe a try tonight and discover your new favorite weeknight dinner. We love hearing from you, so share your experiences or explore our other comforting pasta recipes!