u003cstrongu003eDoes chicken go with pasta?u003c/strongu003e

Yes! Chicken and pasta go together like peanut butter and jelly! Chicken is one of the most popular additions to pasta dishes and it's not hard to see why. Chicken is a quick and easy way to add protein to your favorite pasta dishes like this penne alfredo!

u003cstrongu003eCan you use milk instead of cream in pasta?u003c/strongu003e

While you can use milk instead of heavy cream, it will change the consistency of the sauce, making it thinner. You'll also lose out on a bit of flavor as well. If you'd like to replace the heavy cream with milk, I would recommend adding more flour to help make a thicker sauce.

u003cstrongu003eIs pasta a healthy lunch?u003c/strongu003e

Everything should be enjoyed in moderation! Pasta can definitely be part of a nutritious meal and if you'd like to bulk it up try adding chicken breast and your favorite veggies. You can also try whole wheat pasta to get some extra fiber!

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Name: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 lb. thinly sliced chicken breast; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; Kosher salt; fresh cracked pepper; 16 oz. penne pasta; 4 tablespoons butter; 6-8 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 4 tablespoons flour; 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth; 3 cups heavy cream; 2 cups shredded Parmesan (about 6 oz.) + more for garnish; 1/2 cup pasta water; fresh chopped parsley for garnish; Kosher salt; fresh cracked pepper

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4.3 from 3 reviews

This quick and easy chicken pasta recipe takes 30 minutes or less from start to finish. It’s loaded with a creamy homemade alfredo sauce, sliced chicken breast, and al dente noodles for a simple weeknight comfort food your family will love!

Author: Kylie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stove Top
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb. thinly sliced chicken breast
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper

Pasta and Sauce:

16 oz. penne pasta
4 tablespoons butter
6–8 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
3 cups heavy cream
2 cups shredded Parmesan (about 6 oz.) + more for garnish
1/2 cup pasta water
fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions, just until al dente.
Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
Season all sides of the chicken breast with oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Sear chicken, cooking it on each side for about 4-6 minutes or until a golden-brown crust forms on the outside and it’s cooked through on the inside. Set aside to rest.
Melt butter in the pan over medium-low heat.
Add garlic and oregano along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute.
Add flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring frequently for about 1 minute.
Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping all the yummy bits off the bottom, and cook for 1 minute.
Whisk in heavy cream. Cook over medium to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally for a couple minutes or until warmed through, smooth, and creamy.
Add Parmesan and stir together until it melts. Cook until it reaches your desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add pasta to the sauce and toss to coat pasta evenly. Add a splash or two of pasta water to thin the sauce as needed.
Slice chicken into strips and add to the pasta. Toss to coat evenly and cook until everything is warmed through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley and enjoy!

large saute pan

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Notes

Salt your pasta water! Don’t skip this step!! I like to add 2-4 tablespoons of Kosher Salt to my pasta water. This is an often missed opportunity to add more flavor to your dish. It’s your first chance to flavor the pasta and it also seasons the pasta water which adds additional flavor to the sauce.
Be sure to cut your chicken breasts lengthwise. I like to cut each breast in half lengthwise (with the knife paralell to the cutting board) to make two thinner pieces of chicken breast. This ensures that your chicken cooks all the way through in a shorter amount of time. If your chicken doesn’t cook through during the 4-6 minute saute in the pan, transfer them to an oven safe baking dish and bake them at 350 degrees until they are cooked through while you make the sauce.
The creamy sauce will thicken as it cools. Loosen it up with a splash of heavy cream, milk or broth.