Save to Pinterest Tender, Southern-spiced chicken crowns rich, silky parmesan cream sauce tossed with pasta for a true comfort classic with Italian flair ready in just 30 minutes.
I first served this Southern style creamy parmesan chicken pasta to my family and it quickly became a favorite weeknight dinner because of its rich flavor and quick preparation time.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded to ¾ inch thickness), 2 tsp smoked paprika, 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
- Pasta: 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- Sauce: 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
- Garnish: 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
- Step 1:
- Place chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and pound to ¾ inch thickness for even cooking.
- Step 2:
- In a small bowl combine paprika garlic powder onion powder thyme cayenne salt and black pepper.
- Step 3:
- Season both sides of the chicken thoroughly with the spice mixture.
- Step 4:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat Cook chicken for 6 7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through Transfer to a plate let rest 5 minutes then slice into strips Reserve skillet drippings.
- Step 5:
- Meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to a boil Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente Reserve 1 cup pasta water then drain.
- Step 6:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat melt butter Add minced garlic sauté 1 minute Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes stirring constantly to form a light roux.
- Step 7:
- Gradually whisk in heavy cream and milk Add Worcestershire sauce Simmer whisking until slightly thickened (about 3 4 minutes).
- Step 8:
- Remove pan from heat Whisk in cream cheese until fully smooth Add Parmesan cheese in batches stirring until melted and sauce is velvety.
- Step 9:
- Stir in lemon juice Season with additional salt and pepper to taste Thin sauce with reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
- Step 10:
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce to coat evenly.
- Step 11:
- Arrange sliced chicken over pasta or mix in Reheat gently if needed.
- Step 12:
- Top with bacon (if using) green onions parsley red pepper flakes and extra cracked black pepper Serve hot with additional Parmesan if desired.
Save to Pinterest Sharing this creamy chicken pasta with family always brings joy especially on cozy weekend dinners together.
Required Tools
Large skillet Large pot Medium saucepan Meat mallet Whisk Tongs Cheese grater Colander
Allergen Information
Contains Milk Dairy (cream milk Parmesan cream cheese butter) Wheat Gluten (pasta flour) Bacon may contain sulfites Individuals with allergies should double-check all ingredient labels
Nutritional Information
Calories 545 Total Fat 30 g Carbohydrates 39 g Protein 33 g (per serving)
Save to Pinterest This Southern style creamy parmesan chicken pasta recipe is sure to delight your taste buds and become a family favorite in no time.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What spices are used to season the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create a smoky, southern flavor.
- → How can I adjust the sauce consistency?
Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce gradually until it reaches your preferred thickness without losing creaminess.
- → What is the best way to cook the chicken for juiciness?
Pound the chicken to an even thickness, then cook in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and fully cooked. Let it rest before slicing to retain juices.
- → Can I make the sauce lighter?
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese.
- → What garnish options enhance the dish?
Crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, chopped fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and cracked black pepper add texture and layers of flavor.