Description
A creamy and flavorful Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta recipe that combines tender seasoned chicken breasts with penne pasta cooked in a rich parmesan and garlic sauce. Perfect for a comforting one-pan meal ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (butterflied or beaten down to about ½ inch thickness)
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- salt & pepper (to taste)
Sauce and 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, then rub both sides evenly with the seasoning mixture to coat thoroughly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. Place the seasoned chicken in the hot pan and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining avocado oil and butter to the pan. Add the diced onion and season lightly with salt. Cook while stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes until the onion is tender and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Add Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring the broth to a gentle boil. Add the dry penne pasta and stir 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 it is al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed.
- Add Cheese, Cream, and Herbs: Turn off the heat. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and chopped parsley. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes warm and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Slice the rested chicken into strips and add it to the pan with the pasta. Toss everything gently to combine evenly. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta.
Notes
- This recipe cooks everything in one pan, making cleanup quick and easy.
- Butterflying or pounding the chicken breasts helps them cook more evenly and quickly.
- You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
- Use gluten free or protein-enhanced pasta if desired to accommodate dietary preferences.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer a couple minutes longer uncovered before adding cheese and cream.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese yields the best melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 665 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1021 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 138 mg
