Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta
This Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is comfort food at its finest, made with simple pantry staples and a rich, garlicky sauce. Perfect for weeknights when you need something fast, delicious, and satisfying.
Equipment
- Skillet
- large pot
- Mixing Bowls
- Sharp kitchen knife
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter use real butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes fresh or canned
- 2 cups chopped spinach optional
- 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 10 oz dry pasta fettuccine or penne
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Season and sear the chicken: Mix garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub on chicken. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and rest.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes and spinach, cook until spinach wilts. Stir in cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan and stir until melted. Adjust with pasta water as needed.
- Combine and serve: Slice the rested chicken. Add pasta and chicken to the sauce. Toss everything together until well coated. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
Feel free to swap the spinach with kale, or add mushrooms for more depth. Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut, and don’t forget to taste your sauce as you go!