Pasta
Of course! Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta is the epitome of comfort food – rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. It’s like a hug in a bowl.
This recipe breaks down how to make a luxurious, restaurant-quality sauce from scratch, with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta.
Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta
This recipe creates a creamy, Parmesan-infused sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach for classic Italian flavors.
Yields: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
· For the Chicken & Pasta:
· 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
· 2 tbsp olive oil
· 8 oz (225g) pasta of choice (fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni work great)
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· 1 tsp Italian seasoning
· For the Sauce:
· 2 tbsp butter
· 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
· 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
· 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped (optional, but highly recommended)
· 1/2 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio) or chicken broth
· 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter sauce)
· 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
· 2 cups fresh spinach
· 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
· For Garnish:
· Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter. Once melted, add the chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth). Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid is reduced by about half.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Do not boil. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Combine Everything: Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until it just wilts, about 1-2 minutes. Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add the cooked, drained pasta.
- Final Touch: Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips for a Perfect Creamy Pasta
· Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is the secret weapon! It helps the sauce cling to the pasta and thins the sauce without making it watery.
· Freshly Grated Parmesan is Key: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy and less smooth. A block of Parmesan that you grate yourself will melt beautifully.
· Control the Heat: When adding the cream and cheese, keep the heat low to prevent the sauce from breaking (separating). A gentle simmer is all you need.
· Customize Your Veggies: Don’t have spinach? Use chopped kale (add it a minute earlier) or roasted red peppers. Mushrooms sautéed with the onions would also be delicious.
· Crispy Chicken Alternative: For more texture, you can cook whole chicken breasts, then slice them and place them on top of the pasta instead of mixing them in.
Popular Variations
· Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta: Add 1/4 cup of tomato paste when you add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute before adding the wine. Or, stir in 1/2 cup of marinara sauce with the cream.
· Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Pasta: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary along with the garlic. Finish with a handful of fresh basil.
· Bacon & Mushroom: Cook 4-6 slices of chopped bacon until crispy. Remove, then use the bacon fat to cook the chicken and mushrooms. Use the bacon as a garnish.
Enjoy your delicious, homemade Italian feast