Description
A decadent dinner idea combining tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy, buttery sauce infused with bold flavors. Comfort food with a touch of sophistication.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
- Slowly pour in chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, scraping the bottom of the skillet to incorporate browned bits from the chicken. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
- Stir in freshly grated Parmesan and let it melt into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or cayenne if needed.
- Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if sauce is too thick.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
[‘Don’t overcook the pasta; aim for al dente.’, ‘Season every layer for well-balanced flavor.’, ‘Use fresh Parmesan for better melting.’, ‘Adjust spice level by adding or reducing cayenne pepper.’, ‘Work quickly and serve immediately for best results.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450500
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 600800
- Fat: 2025
- Saturated Fat: 1215
- Carbohydrates: 3540
- Fiber: 23
- Protein: 3035
Keywords: Creamy pasta, cowboy butter, chicken pasta, easy dinner, comfort food