Pin Tender, Southern-spiced chicken crowns rich, silky parmesan cream sauce tossed with pasta for a true comfort classic with Italian flair ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to ¾ inch thickness) 2 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp dried thyme ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper 3 tbsp olive oil
- Pasta: 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- Sauce: 4 tbsp butter 4 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup all purpose flour 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup whole milk 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese 4 oz cream cheese, softened 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Garnish: 2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional) 2 green onions, sliced ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped Red pepper flakes (to taste) Fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Place chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and pound to ¾ inch thickness for even cooking.
- Step 2:
- In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 3:
- Season both sides of the chicken thoroughly with the spice mixture.
- Step 4:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken for 6 7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate, let rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips. Reserve skillet drippings.
- Step 5:
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 6:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic; sauté 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a light roux.
- Step 7:
- Gradually whisk in heavy cream and milk. Add Worcestershire sauce. Simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened (about 3 4 minutes).
- Step 8:
- Remove pan from heat. Whisk in cream cheese until fully smooth. Add Parmesan cheese in batches, stirring until melted and sauce is velvety.
- Step 9:
- Stir in lemon juice. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Thin sauce with reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
- Step 10:
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce to coat evenly.
- Step 11:
- Arrange sliced chicken over pasta or mix in. Reheat gently if needed.
- Step 12:
- Top with bacon (if using), green onions, parsley, red pepper flakes, and extra cracked black pepper. Serve hot with additional Parmesan if desired.
Pin Required Tools
Large skillet Large pot Medium saucepan Meat mallet Whisk Tongs Cheese grater Colander
Allergen Information
Contains Milk/Dairy (cream, milk, Parmesan, cream cheese, butter), Wheat/Gluten (pasta, flour) Bacon may contain sulfites. Individuals with allergies should double-check all ingredient labels.
Nutritional Information
Calories 545 Total Fat 30 g Carbohydrates 39 g Protein 33 g
Pin This creamy Southern style chicken pasta combines comfort with a quick preparation time it is perfect for weeknight dinners.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I achieve tender chicken in this dish?
Pound the chicken breasts to even thickness and cook them over medium-high heat until golden and fully cooked. Letting the chicken rest before slicing retains juiciness.
- → What pasta types work best with this creamy sauce?
Fettuccine or penne are ideal as their shape and texture hold the rich cream sauce well.
- → How can I adjust the sauce consistency?
Reserve some pasta water during cooking and add gradually to the sauce to thin it to your preferred consistency.
- → Can I substitute ingredients for a lighter sauce?
Yes, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or swap cream cheese for Greek yogurt for a lighter version without losing creaminess.
- → What is the role of Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice in the sauce?
Worcestershire adds depth and umami while lemon juice brightens and balances the richness of the creamy parmesan sauce.