Description
A creamy, cheesy pasta dish with tender chicken that transforms any meal into a romantic experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil water in a large pot, adding a generous amount of salt. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, but reserve a bit of pasta water for later.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Sauté chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice it.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and smooth.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Finish it up: Lay the sliced chicken on top of the pasta in the skillet. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some heat, if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy your delicious creation immediately while still warm!
Notes
For lighter options, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk. Fresh herbs enhance flavor and appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, creamy sauce, date night, Italian dinner