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 67 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 34 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 Parmesan chicken pasta brings southern comfort to your table with easy preparation and rich flavors.
Recipe Questions
- → How do I keep the chicken juicy and tender?
Pound the chicken to an even thickness and let it rest after cooking before slicing to retain juices.
- → What pasta types work best for this dish?
Fettuccine or penne are ideal as they hold the creamy sauce well, but other similar shapes work too.
- → How can I adjust the sauce consistency?
Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce to your preferred thickness without compromising flavor.
- → Can I substitute cream cheese in the sauce?
Yes, Greek yogurt can be used for a lighter option while maintaining creaminess.
- → What spices create the southern flavor profile?
Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, salt, and black pepper blend for a balanced southern spice mix.
- → Is it necessary to grate fresh Parmesan cheese?
Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly and enhances the sauce flavor better than pre-grated varieties.