Description

Creamy Chicken Pasta is a cozy skillet dinner with golden chicken, tender shells, and a smooth garlic cheese sauce. It tastes rich and comforting, but the steps stay simple enough for a weeknight.

Ingredients

1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced into thinner cutlets
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
¼ cup flour, for dredging
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup dry white wine, or chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons flour, for the sauce
1 ¼ cups half and half
¾ cup chicken broth
½ chicken bouillon cube
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup grated Romano cheese
½ pound pasta, shells or any shape
1 cup reserved pasta water, optional
1 lemon, optional
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon mustard powder
½ teaspoon dried parsley
⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Season the chicken: Pat the chicken dry, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Coat lightly in ¼ cup flour and shake off the excess.
Sear until golden: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through to 165°F, then transfer to a plate.
Deglaze the skillet: Add the wine to the skillet and scrape up the browned bits. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly reduced.
Make the sauce: Add butter and garlic, then cook for 30 seconds. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour, then slowly whisk in half and half, chicken broth, bouillon, onion powder, garlic salt, oregano, basil, mustard powder, parsley, and smoked paprika.
Finish and serve: Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until creamy and thick enough to coat a spoon. Stir in Parmesan and Romano, toss in the pasta, add splashes of pasta water as needed, then top with sliced chicken and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

Use chicken broth instead of wine for a wine free version. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of broth or half and half so the sauce turns creamy again. Do not boil the sauce hard after adding the cheese, or it can turn grainy.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American Italian

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta