Description
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta recipe combines tender seasoned chicken breast with a creamy garlic parmesan sauce and perfectly cooked penne pasta. It’s an easy and comforting one-pan dish ideal for weeknight dinners that offer rich flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
For the 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 the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken breasts dry and rub both sides with the seasoning mixture evenly to coat.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the avocado oil. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5 minutes per side until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low and add the remaining avocado oil and unsalted butter to the pan. Add the diced onion, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes or until translucent and tender. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Deglaze and Add Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release browned bits. Bring the broth to a light boil, then add the dry penne pasta, stirring to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the broth.
- Cook Pasta: Cover the pan and let the pasta cook for 10 minutes or until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Sauce: Turn off the heat and stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and chopped parsley. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce is warm and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
- Combine and Serve: Slice the rested chicken into strips and add them back to the pan with the pasta. Toss gently to combine all ingredients. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta dish!
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting texture; finely grate with the smallest holes on your grater.
- Butterflying or pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
- You can substitute avocado oil with olive oil if preferred.
- If you prefer a lighter dish, reduce the heavy cream or substitute with half-and-half.
- This recipe works well with gluten free or protein-enriched pasta varieties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
