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Easy One-Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 chicken breasts diced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 225g (8oz) penne pasta
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 cup baby spinach optional
  • Fresh parsley for serving

Method
 

  1. Season chicken with Italian seasoning paprika salt and pepper until well coated
    2. Heat olive oil in large pot medium-high heat. Brown chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside
    3. In same pot cook diced onion 3-4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30-60 seconds until fragrant
    4. Pour in chicken broth and milk. Add pasta and browned chicken back to pot. Bring to gentle boil then simmer 12-15 minutes stirring every few minutes until pasta tender
    4. Reduce heat to low. Pour in heavy cream and stir. Add Parmesan gradually in 2-3 additions stirring between each
    5. Stir in spinach if using. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add broth if sauce too thick
    6. Serve immediately in bowls topped with fresh parsley extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper

Notes

Brown chicken in single layer.. do not crowd the pot or it steams instead of browning
Stir pasta every 2-3 minutes to prevent sticking to bottom
Always add Parmesan off heat or on very low heat to prevent clumping in sauce
Sauce thickens as it sits add warm broth when reheating
Rotisserie chicken works perfectly, stir in at Step 5, no browning needed