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Creamy Chicken Pasta - The Ultimate Romantic Dinner Recipe

This creamy chicken pasta features a rich, velvety sauce with perfectly cooked chicken and a symphony of herbs, cream, and cheese flavors. It comes together quickly in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for romantic dinners or family meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine work best)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and paprika, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and add heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
  5. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan before serving.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-shredded cheese for creamiest sauce. Reserved pasta water helps the sauce cling to pasta beautifully. Can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version.