Description
Comforting one-pot creamy parmesan chicken pasta brings Italian flavors to your dinner table with minimal cleanup. Parmesan cheese and tender chicken meld together, creating a luxurious meal you’ll savor in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 g) chicken tenderloins or chicken cutlets, boneless thighs
- 2 tablespoons (26 g) butter
- 2 teaspoons (30 ml) olive oil (not extra virgin)
Seasonings and Dairy:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¾ cup (180 ml) half and half (single cream in the UK)
- ¾ cup (64 g) shredded parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Liquid:
- ½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken stock
- 8 ounces (225 g) dried pasta (any shape)
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken tenderloins with the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat a large Dutch oven or deep skillet. Melt butter and add olive oil, creating a golden cooking surface. Sear chicken until completely cooked through, then transfer to a warm plate.
- Using the same pot’s residual oils, sauté onions until they become translucent and soft. Add minced garlic and cook until aromatic, releasing its fragrant essence.
- Pour chicken stock into the pot, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Incorporate remaining stock and half and half, creating a rich, creamy liquid base.
- Gently introduce dried pasta into the liquid, stirring to ensure complete submersion. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer quietly for 11-13 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
- As the pasta cooks, the sauce will initially appear thin. Sprinkle in remaining Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese, stirring continuously. The sauce will naturally thicken and become more luxurious as it cools.
- Carefully taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Reintroduce the cooked chicken into the pot, either nestling it atop the pasta or gently mixing throughout for complete integration.
Notes
- Quickly coat chicken in a flavorful seasoning blend to ensure maximum taste absorption before cooking.
- Use a single pot to minimize cleanup and create layers of rich, interconnected flavors throughout the dish.
- Select half and half for a luxuriously creamy sauce that naturally thickens when combined with parmesan cheese.
- Stir pasta intermittently during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even liquid absorption.
- Allow the sauce to rest briefly after cooking, which helps it develop a more robust and cohesive texture.
- Consider garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or basil to brighten the overall flavor profile and add visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg