Description
A quick and easy Chicken Pasta recipe combining tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and flavorful sauces to create a comforting and versatile meal perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
Aromatics & Fats
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup cream or tomato sauce (choice based on preference)
Herbs & Cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or oregano), chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Vegetables
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan used for the chicken, add more olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, avoiding burning.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in your sauce choice—cream, tomato-based, or a garlic olive oil mixture. Stir and simmer gently, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Combine Everything: Toss cooked pasta and chicken into the sauce, mixing gently to coat evenly. Add fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese melts and flavors meld.
- Serve Warm: Plate the Chicken Pasta while hot, allowing extra sauce to pool around the pasta. Garnish with additional herbs or cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
- Cook chicken just until no longer pink to keep it juicy and tender.
- Add fresh herbs at the end for a bright, fresh taste.
- Use pasta shape suited to your sauce thickness: thick or tubular for heavier sauces, thin noodles for lighter sauces.
- Allow the dish to rest a couple of minutes off heat to deepen flavors before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, creamy chicken pasta, tomato chicken pasta