Description
A rich and creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta dish that combines tender chicken breast with a flavorful parmesan cream sauce and perfectly cooked penne pasta. This one-pan recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for weeknight dinners, delivering restaurant-quality comfort food in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (butterflied or beaten down to about ½" thickness)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ jumbo yellow onion (diced, about 1 cup)
- 4-6 large cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 oz dry penne pasta (normal, gluten free, or protein pasta)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken dry, then rub both sides evenly with the seasoning mixture to ensure full flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon avocado oil. Place the seasoned chicken breast in the pan and cook for 5 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining avocado oil and unsalted butter to the pan. Add diced onion, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until the onion is tender and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Deglaze and Add Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits stuck to the bottom. Bring the broth to a light boil, then add the dry penne pasta. Stir to submerge the pasta completely in the broth.
- Cook Pasta: Cover the pan with a lid and cook on medium-low for 10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish Sauce: Turn off the heat. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and chopped parsley. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is warm and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine and Serve: Slice the rested chicken into strips and add it back into the pan with the pasta. Toss everything together to combine evenly. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta.
Notes
- This recipe is made entirely in one pan, minimizing cleanup and making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- You can substitute the penne pasta with gluten-free or protein-enriched pasta depending on your dietary preference.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative, though the sauce will be less rich.
- If you prefer more herb flavor, add extra chopped parsley or a sprinkle of fresh basil just before serving.
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a nice sear and prevent steaming.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 665 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1021 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 138 mg
