Description
Tender chicken breast cooked in a rich and creamy garlic parmesan sauce with perfectly cooked penne pasta. This one-pan dish blends Italian seasoning, garlic, and parmesan cheese for a comforting and flavorful meal that's ready in just 35 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (butterflied or beaten down to about ½" thickness)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ jumbo yellow onion (diced, about 1 cup)
- 4-6 large cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 oz dry penne pasta (normal, gluten free or protein pasta)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken dry and rub both sides evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp avocado oil. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low, add remaining avocado oil and butter. Add the diced onion, season with a pinch of salt, and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Deglaze and Cook Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Bring broth to a light boil, then add the dry penne pasta, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Finish the Sauce: Turn off the heat, stir in the grated parmesan, heavy cream, and chopped parsley until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine and Serve: Slice the rested chicken into strips and add back into the pan with the pasta. Toss to combine everything well. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta.
Notes
- This recipe is an easy, restaurant-quality dinner that can be prepared in one pan and ready in just about 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- You can use gluten-free or protein-enriched pasta if preferred without compromising taste or texture.
- Feel free to substitute avocado oil with olive oil or another cooking oil of choice.
- The heavy cream can be replaced with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, or use a lactose-free cream to reduce lactose content.
- For extra flavor, garnish with additional chopped parsley or freshly grated parmesan before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 665 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1021 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 138 mg
