This Creamy Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish featuring crispy seared chicken, a rich cream sauce, and your favorite pasta. Packed with savory seasonings and customizable with add-ons like spinach, mushrooms, or sundried tomatoes, this is the ultimate comfort meal for busy weeknights or indulgent weekends!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich & Creamy Sauce: Infused with a blend of seasonings for unmatched flavor.
- Versatile Add-ons: Customize with veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or roasted broccoli.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples come together for a restaurant-quality dish.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
For the Cream Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- ½ cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay)
- 1 cup half-and-half (or equal parts milk and cream)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup grated Romano cheese (or more Parmesan)
Optional Add-Ons:
- Fresh spinach, sautéed mushrooms, roasted broccoli, or sundried tomatoes
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
- Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces.
- Pound chicken to an even thickness (about ¾ inch) using a meat mallet.
- Season both sides with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic powder.
- Dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Set aside on a plate.
Step 3: Deglaze the Skillet
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add white wine to the skillet, scraping up browned bits (fond) to enhance flavor.
- Simmer until the wine reduces by half, then add butter and minced garlic.
Step 4: Make the Cream Sauce
- Whisk in flour to form a roux. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Gradually add chicken broth, followed by half-and-half, stirring continuously.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and basil. Let simmer until thickened.
Step 5: Combine & Serve
- Cook pasta of choice to al dente in salted water, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Stir grated cheeses into the sauce over low heat until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta, followed by chicken, to the skillet. Toss to combine. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
Pro Tips
- Cheese: Always use freshly grated cheese for a creamier texture.
- Wine Substitute: Replace wine with extra chicken broth if needed.
- Thickening Sauce: Add a splash of pasta water or half-and-half to adjust consistency while reheating.
- Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs over the pasta for added texture.
Storage & Reheating
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Use a double boiler or low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or broth to refresh the sauce.
This creamy chicken pasta will become your go-to comfort meal. Don’t forget to experiment with add-ons to make it your own!
Creamy Chicken Pasta
4
servings15
minutes35
minutesIndulge in this Creamy Chicken Pasta, featuring a rich, flavorful cream sauce, juicy seared chicken, and your favorite pasta. Customize with delicious add-ons like spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes to make it your own!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
Salt and pepper (to taste)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
¼ cup flour
1–2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pasta & Sauce:
½ cup dry white wine (see notes)
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons flour
1 ¼ cups half-and-half (equal parts light cream and milk)
¾ cup chicken broth
½ chicken bouillon cube
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/3 cup Romano cheese, grated (or substitute Parmesan)
½ lb. pasta (any type)
1 cup reserved pasta water (optional)
1 lemon (optional, for serving)
Seasonings:
½ teaspoon each: onion powder, garlic salt, oregano, basil, mustard powder, dried parsley
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
Directions
- Prep Work
- In a large measuring cup, combine half-and-half, chicken broth, and seasonings. Set aside.
- Measure all remaining ingredients before starting.
- Place a measuring cup in the colander to remember to reserve pasta water.
- Cook the Chicken
- Slice the chicken in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces. Pound to about 1-inch thickness.
- Pat dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Lightly coat with flour.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove from skillet and let rest for 10 minutes, then slice into strips.
- Make the Sauce
- Start boiling water for the pasta.
- In the skillet, add the wine and set heat to medium. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom and sides to deglaze the pan, incorporating the flavorful “fond.” Reduce wine by half (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add butter and garlic, cooking for 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Gradually add the broth and half-and-half mixture in small splashes, stirring constantly to maintain thickness.
- Stir in the chicken bouillon cube. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let simmer.
- Cook the Pasta
- Salt the boiling water and add pasta. Cook until just al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Finish the Dish
- Gradually stir grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses into the sauce until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss gently to coat.
- Add the sliced chicken and any juices from the resting plate, tossing to combine.
- Adjust the sauce consistency with reserved pasta water, adding small splashes as needed.
- Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and, if desired, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for added brightness.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Tips & Notes
- Wine Substitute: Use chicken broth instead of wine if preferred.
- Cheese: For the best texture, always use freshly grated cheese.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Add a splash of pasta water, milk, or broth while reheating to restore sauce consistency.
- This creamy chicken pasta is a versatile, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite!