Description
A comforting pasta dish enveloped in a creamy, buttery sauce with tender chicken and a hint of spice—perfect for cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (substitutable with gluten-free pasta)
- 1 pound chicken breast (for a vegan option, plant-based chicken works beautifully)
- 4 tablespoons butter (non-dairy butter for a vegan alternative)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion (yellow or white)
- 1 cup heavy cream (coconut milk serves as a delightful dairy-free alternative)
- 1 cup chicken broth (swap for vegetable broth for a vegetarian delight)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast can give a cheesy flavor without dairy)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (feel free to adjust to your tolerance)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot, boil salted water. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water.
- Cook the chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken seasoned with salt and pepper, cooking until golden brown and fully cooked (about 6-7 minutes on each side). Remove and let rest before slicing.
- Sauté the veggies: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter, simmering until melted. Toss in the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until softened and fragrant—about 2-3 minutes.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring until well combined. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, letting its flavors deepen.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce, tossing to coat every strand luxuriously. If it appears thick, add a spoonful of the reserved pasta water to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Finish with cheese: Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Slice the chicken and nestle it atop the pasta.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a dash more of red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve hot and revel in the delight.
Notes
Make-ahead tips: You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time; just reheat before combining with fresh pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg