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Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 271 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is a delightful and comforting meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious garlic-infused cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Bursting with rich flavors from fresh rosemary and roasted garlic, this dish is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz penne pasta

Chicken

  • 2 large chicken breasts (1 – 1.5 lbs), butterflied lengthwise into 4 pieces
  • Salt and pepper for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter (divided)

Sauce

  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh finely chopped rosemary
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth (or stock)
  • 1 cup half and half or heavy cream (warmed)
  • Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set aside.
  2. Cook the chicken: Butterfly the chicken breasts and cut into four pieces. Pat dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter has melted, place the chicken pieces in the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on the first side without moving, then flip and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from skillet and set aside on a board.
  3. Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the pan. Add whole garlic cloves and sauté them for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to toast them to a golden color without burning. Add freshly chopped rosemary and toast for 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spatula to deglaze, loosening all flavorful bits. Add the warmed half and half or heavy cream and stir, bringing the sauce to a simmer. Let it cook down gently for about 4 minutes to thicken. Meanwhile, slice the cooked chicken diagonally.
  4. Combine the meal: Return the sliced chicken to the sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer together for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Add the cooked penne pasta to the pan and toss everything to combine evenly. Gradually stir in 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce; add more if needed to reach your preferred consistency.
  5. Serve: Plate the creamy garlic chicken pasta and generously sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving to enhance the flavor.

Notes

  • Butterflying the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and tender pieces.
  • Reserving pasta water helps to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly while combining the pasta and sauce.
  • Use low sodium chicken broth to control the salt level in the dish.
  • For a richer dish, opt for heavy cream; half and half works well for a lighter version.
  • Fresh rosemary adds a subtle aromatic flavor, but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • Make sure not to burn the garlic while sautéing, as it can turn bitter.

Keywords: creamy garlic chicken pasta, chicken pasta, garlic cream sauce, penne pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/creamy-garlic-chicken-pasta-recipe/