Luscious Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe That Wows Every Time

Whipping up a delightful creamy chicken pasta recipe can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Comfort flows through every forkful of this mouthwatering dish.

Succulent chicken pieces nestled in a velvety sauce promise pure satisfaction.

Silky noodles catch rich, luxurious cream that dances with aromatic herbs and subtle spices.

Each ingredient plays a harmonious role in creating a memorable meal.

My kitchen always buzzes with excitement when preparing this crowd-pleasing classic.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this irresistible pasta creation.

Why Creamy Chicken Pasta Is Pure Comfort

• Quick Comfort Meal: Perfect for satisfying hunger with minimal kitchen effort and maximum flavor impact.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms, making it versatile for different taste preferences.
• Restaurant-Quality Dinner: Achieve professional-level creamy pasta at home without complicated techniques or expensive ingredients.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup by using a single skillet for cooking chicken, creating sauce, and combining all ingredients, reducing post-meal kitchen work.

What You’ll Need For Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Fresh cuts that provide lean protein and serve as the star of this creamy pasta dish.

• Fettuccine: Classic long, flat pasta that perfectly captures and holds the rich, creamy sauce.

• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Create a luxurious and smooth base for the sauce that adds depth and richness.

• Garlic, Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Basil: Aromatic seasonings that add layers of flavor and depth to the chicken and sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a subtle heat and spicy kick to the creamy dish.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish that complements the creamy sauce.

• Olive Oil: Helps sear the chicken and prevent sticking while adding a subtle flavor.
• Pasta Water: Helps adjust the sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling to the pasta.

How To Cook Creamy Chicken Pasta Smoothly

Step 1: Prepare The Chicken

Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and dried basil. Make sure each side gets an even coating of seasonings for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sear The Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 3: Rest And Slice Chicken

Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes. Then slice the chicken into thin, tender strips that will absorb the creamy sauce perfectly.

Step 4: Create Aromatic Base

Reduce skillet heat to medium and sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until its fragrance fills the kitchen.

Step 5: Build Creamy Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream

Stir ingredients together, scraping up the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 6: Simmer Sauce

Let the cream sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until it starts to thicken and become luxuriously smooth.

Step 7: Cook Pasta

Boil fettuccine in salted water according to package instructions until it reaches al dente perfection. Save 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 8: Combine Components

Add sliced chicken and red pepper flakes to the cream sauce. Gently fold cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring every strand gets coated with the velvety sauce.

Step 9: Adjust Sauce Consistency

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to achieve the ideal creamy texture.

Step 10: Serve And Enjoy

Sprinkle generously with parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the dish is piping hot and irresistibly aromatic.

Helpful Tips For Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Sear Chicken Perfectly: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Reserve pasta water to thin out the cream sauce if it becomes too thick, ensuring a silky smooth texture.
• Boost Flavor Intensity: Add red pepper flakes for a subtle heat that complements the creamy sauce without overwhelming the dish.
• Achieve Ideal Pasta Texture: Cook fettuccine just until al dente, allowing it to finish cooking in the cream sauce for maximum flavor absorption.
• Layer Seasonings Strategically: Season chicken generously with salt, pepper, and dried basil before searing to build depth of flavor from the start.

Simple Swaps For Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Pasta: Replace dried basil with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Add diced bell peppers and corn for extra southwestern flair. Top with fresh cilantro and crumbled queso fresco.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Pasta: Swap basil for oregano and thyme. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives into the cream sauce. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
• Mushroom Truffle Chicken Pasta: Sauté sliced cremini and shiitake mushrooms before adding garlic. Stir in a touch of truffle oil at the end for luxurious earthiness. Finish with shaved parmesan and fresh chives.

Top Pairings With Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Uncork Crisp White Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the creamy chicken pasta's rich texture, cutting through the heavy sauce with bright, zesty notes that refresh the palate.
• Serve Herb-Infused Side Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness, adding a peppery crunch and citrus brightness that enhances the pasta's creamy profile.
• Match with Garlic Bread Companion: Prepare toasted ciabatta or sourdough bread rubbed with garlic and olive oil, providing a crunchy texture that soaks up the delicious cream sauce and adds an extra layer of flavor.

How To Store Creamy Chicken Pasta Properly

• Transfer leftover creamy chicken pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack meal in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to maintain sauce consistency.
• Warm pasta in microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, reheat gently in a skillet with splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent sauce separation.
• When storing or reheating, add small amount of cream or broth to revive sauce texture. Stir carefully to blend ingredients without breaking down delicate pasta structure.

Creamy Chicken Pasta FAQ

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute fettuccine with penne, linguine, or spaghetti. Choose a pasta shape that holds sauce well.

• How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The chicken should be white throughout with no pink centers.

• Is it possible to make this recipe lighter?

Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. You can also use Greek yogurt for a tangier, lower-fat version of the cream sauce.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Cook the chicken and sauce separately, store in refrigerator, and reheat gently before combining with fresh pasta. Best enjoyed immediately after cooking for optimal texture.

Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Creamy Chicken Pasta brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with rich, velvety sauce coating tender chicken and perfectly al dente noodles. Homemade goodness delivers a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Pasta and Grains:

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season thoroughly with salt, black pepper, and dried basil.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Sear chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Remove chicken and let rest on a cutting board; slice into thin strips when cooled.
5. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine and scrape up browned bits.
7. Simmer cream sauce for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
8. Cook fettuccine in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente.
9. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
10. Add sliced chicken back to the cream sauce along with red pepper flakes.
11. Gently fold cooked pasta into the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with sauce.
12. If sauce seems thick, incorporate reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
13. Sprinkle generously with parmesan cheese and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in flavor and creates a delicious crispy exterior.
• Use freshly grated parmesan for maximum flavor intensity and better melting compared to pre-packaged cheese.
• Slice chicken against the grain to maintain tenderness and create more appealing presentation for serving.
• Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency, helping the sauce cling perfectly to pasta without becoming too thick or thin.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 743
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 913 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 74 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg