Description
A rich and creamy chicken pasta recipe featuring tender seared chicken breast smothered in a luscious garlic Parmesan sauce, enhanced with Italian seasonings and a splash of white wine. This comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying family dinner and serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup flour
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1¼ cups half and half (half light cream, half milk)
- ¾ cups chicken broth
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/3 cup Romano cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
Pasta
- ½ lb pasta (any kind)
- 1 cup reserved pasta water (optional)
Optional Garnish
- 1 lemon (for squeezing over pasta)
Instructions
- Prep Work: Combine half and half, chicken broth, and all dried seasonings (onion powder, garlic salt, oregano, basil, mustard powder, parsley, and smoked paprika) in a large measuring cup and set aside. Measure all ingredients before starting. Place a measuring cup in the colander to reserve pasta water later.
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Slice the chicken breast in half lengthwise to create 2-4 thinner slices. Cover with plastic wrap and pound each side to about 1-inch thickness. Pat dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Lightly coat each side with flour to prevent sticking and add crust.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken slices and sear until golden crust forms, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes, then slice into strips.
- Deglaze the Pan: Add white wine to the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom and sides. Let wine reduce by half over 3-4 minutes to concentrate flavor.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook continuously for 2 minutes until the raw flour smell dissipates. Gradually whisk in the half and half and chicken broth mixture in small splashes, stirring constantly to keep sauce thick and smooth. Add the ½ chicken bouillon cube and bring to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to low and partially cover the skillet.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions closely to avoid overcooking. Stir occasionally. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water for later use.
- Finish the Sauce: Gradually add Parmesan and Romano cheeses to the sauce, stirring continuously until fully melted and incorporated.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add cooked pasta to the sauce and gently toss using a silicone spatula to coat evenly. Add the sliced chicken along with any juices and toss again to combine.
- Adjust Consistency: If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually, tossing gently until desired creaminess is reached. This also helps when reheating leftovers.
- Serve: Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta for brightness. Garnish with additional parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using dry white wine adds depth and acidity; a mild Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works well.
- Romano cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano or additional Parmesan if unavailable.
- Reserve pasta water is helpful for thinning the sauce without losing flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta to ensure perfect texture and prevent mushiness in the final dish.
- Pounding the chicken ensures even cooking and tender slices.
- Adding lemon juice at the end brightens and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, chicken pasta recipe, garlic parmesan pasta, Italian chicken pasta, creamy pasta sauce, easy chicken dinner, weeknight pasta
