A rich and creamy pasta dish made with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and tender chicken, perfect for a comforting meal.
Author:Alex Lee
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pound fusilli pasta (or penne or rotini)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Fine salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli until al dente following package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Pat chicken pieces dry and season with salt, black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add chicken and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and reserve any juices.
Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, then stir in minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes; sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
Pour chicken broth into skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Add heavy cream and remaining 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Lower heat to low. Gradually add Parmesan, stirring continuously until sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
Return cooked chicken and accumulated juices to skillet. Add drained pasta and fold gently until all components are well coated. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water in small amounts until desired consistency is reached.
Taste and season with additional salt or black pepper as desired. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
This dish can be made ahead and reheated but may need additional cream or broth to loosen the sauce.