Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta
A comforting dish featuring tender chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked penne pasta, ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by gathering all the ingredients. Dice your chicken, chop the garlic, and measure out the seasonings.
Cooking
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix well until the cheese has melted.
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, ensuring it’s well-coated with the sauce.
- Introduce the baby spinach and allow it to wilt for about 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss everything together gently.
- Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
Consider adding cooked bacon or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor. For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes.