Here’s a flavorful and easy Italian Chicken Pasta recipe that’s perfect for a cozy dinner! It combines tender chicken, aromatic herbs, garlic, tomatoes, and parmesan in a creamy or light sauce — your choice — all tossed with your favorite pasta.
🇮🇹 Italian Chicken Pasta
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
📝 Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or cubes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or 1 can diced tomatoes, drained)
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (optional, for depth)
- ½ cup chicken broth or white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half (or use tomato sauce for a lighter version)
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 8 oz penne, fettuccine, or your favorite pasta
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions:
🔹 1. Cook the Pasta:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside.
🔹 2. Cook the Chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Add chicken to the skillet and sear until golden and cooked through (about 5–6 minutes). Remove and set aside.
🔹 3. Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, lower heat to medium.
- Add garlic, cherry tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes (if using). Sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with chicken broth or white wine, scraping up any browned bits.
- Stir in the cream and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
- Add parmesan and stir until melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
🔹 4. Combine:
- Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in sauce.
- Add cooked pasta and toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
🍴 To Serve:
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley
- Extra parmesan on top? Always a yes.
🔁 Variations:
- Add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms for extra veggies
- Use grilled chicken for a smoky flavor
- Swap cream for tomato passata for a lighter, red-sauce version
- Make it spicy with a pinch of red pepper flakes