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Decadent Chicken Pasta with a Lush Cream Sauce

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A luscious chicken pasta dish featuring tender chicken pieces tossed in a rich, creamy sauce that beautifully coats al dente pasta. Comfort food elevated to indulgence, perfect for a restaurant-worthy meal at home.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: approximately 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing, Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Olive oil or unsalted butter
  • Onion, finely chopped
  • Garlic cloves, minced
  • Mushrooms, sliced (optional but delicious)
  • White wine or chicken broth for deglazing
  • Heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Italian seasoning or fresh thyme/oregano
  • Pasta of your choice (fettuccine, penne, linguine)
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente; reserve about ½ cup of pasta water and drain.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil or butter. Add chicken in a single layer, cooking until golden and cooked through—about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and tent with foil.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Sauté onions until translucent, 2–3 minutes, then add garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. If using mushrooms, add them now and cook until they release moisture and turn golden.
  6. Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom; let it reduce by half.
  7. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan and Italian seasoning; whisk until smooth and the sauce thickens—about 3–4 minutes.
  8. Return the chicken to the skillet, along with any juices. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, thin with reserved pasta water.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley or basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • Add spinach: Stir in fresh baby spinach at the end until just wilted.
  • Protein swap: Replace chicken with shrimp or turkey slices.
  • Cheese twist: Use Romano or Asiago in place of Parmesan for sharper flavor.
  • Mushroom medley: Combine cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms.
  • Lighter option: Substitute half the cream with milk or unsweetened plant milk and add extra broth.
  • For storage, refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to refresh the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/decadent-chicken-pasta-with-a-lush-cream-sauce/