Description
A comforting Southern-style creamy Parmesan chicken pasta that combines hearty flavors and textures for the perfect family meal.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- 2 tsp paprika (smoked preferred)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
- Fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Place the chicken between plastic wrap and pound to a consistent ¾-inch thickness for even cooking.
- In a small bowl, mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
- Generously season both sides of the chicken with the spice mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips. Make sure to keep the pan drippings for added flavor.
- While the chicken rests, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the flour and stir for 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually add the heavy cream and whole milk while whisking. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and simmer gently until the mixture thickens.
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Whisk in the cream cheese until smooth, then add the Parmesan cheese in batches, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency as needed.
- Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce, coating evenly.
- Add sliced chicken on top of pasta or incorporate it into the mix. Heat through if necessary.
- Garnish with crumbled bacon (if desired), sliced green onions, chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately while hot, optionally with extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor. Adjust cayenne pepper for desired heat. Reserve pasta water for sauce consistency.
