Quick 20 Minute Chicken Pasta Dinner Recipe (Creamy & Easy)

If you want a delicious and creamy chicken pasta in a limited amount of time, try out this Quick 20 Minute Chicken Pasta Dinner Recipe (Creamy & Easy). You will be able to make an amazing pasta meal which is creamy and tasty without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe involves using chicken breast, a cooked pasta meal, as well as the creamiest sauce ever along with a nice combination of herbs and other spices.

This quick and easy dinner recipe is perfect if you are looking for a convenient way to cook during weekdays. Whether it’s cooking for a party or having a meal alone, this recipe will always impress you. Moreover, it offers various customization features as per your requirements, from being able to do “meal prep” to having your desired taste of comfort food.

Some added benefits include easy cleanup, the availability of all ingredients in the pantry, as well as using different types of veggies or spices to add your own touch.

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Quick Chicken Pasta Recipe Ingredients

Makes: 4 servings
Preparation & Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Pasta & Chicken

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2, about 500g), cut into small pieces
• Any pasta (8oz, about 225g), preferably penne, fusilli, or fettuccine
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
• Salt and ground black pepper (to taste)

Sauce

• Butter (2 tablespoons, unsalted)
• Garlic cloves (3), finely chopped
• Heavy cream (1 cup, about 240ml)
• Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, about 50g), freshly grated
• Chicken stock (1/2 cup, about 120ml)
• Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon, or a blend of basil, oregano, and thyme)
• Crushed red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional, for a touch of heat)
• Salt and ground black pepper (to taste)

Optional Vegetables & Garnish

• Baby spinach or kale leaves (1 cup, optional)
• Sun-dried tomatoes (1/2 cup, optional, chopped)
• Chopped fresh parsley (as a garnish)
• More Parmesan cheese (for sprinkling)

Secret Ingredient: For faster preparation, use leftover roasted chicken.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Cooking the Pasta

1. Boil a large amount of salted water in a pot.
2. Add pasta and follow the cooking instructions on the packet until the pasta is al dente.
3. Save 1/4 cup of pasta cooking liquid before draining—the pasta cooking liquid can be used to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
4. Drain the pasta and keep it aside.

Step 2: Cooking the Chicken

1. As you cook the pasta, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over high heat.
2. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken pieces.
3. Add the chicken pieces into the skillet and fry them for 5-7 minutes.
4. Set aside the chicken pieces.

Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Sauce

1. Into the same pan, add 2 tbsp butter and melt on medium heat.
2. Mix in garlic and stir-fry for about a minute.
3. Pour chicken stock into the pan and cook for a minute to thicken.
4. Then add heavy cream to the pan and let it simmer gently.
5. Gradually stir in grated Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until you get a creamy texture.
6. Add Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Mix Pasta and Chicken

1. Lower the heat and return the chicken to the pan.
2. Mix in cooked pasta and toss gently to coat pasta in sauce.
3. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach your desired thickness.

Step 5: Add Vegetables to Complete Cooking

1. Combine spinach leaves or kale till they wilt somewhat.
2. Combine with sun-dried tomatoes as you may have them.
3. Season your dish with more salt, pepper, or Parmesan as desired.

Step 6: Serving Your Dish

1. Arrange the pasta in individual serving plates/bowls.
2. Garnish it with some chopped parsley and grated Parmesan.
3. Serve right away.

Cooking Hints and Variations

1. Fast Cooking Hint: Pound chicken breasts to be even in thickness when cut into chunks as they will cook faster.
2. Variations of Vegetables: Include mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, and broccoli to add more vitamins and minerals.
3. Types of Cheese: If you don’t have Parmesan cheese, use Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
4. Herbs: Try fresh basil or thyme to give an added aroma.
5. Spicy: Add half a teaspoon of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes.
6. For a Low-Calorie Recipe: Use half-and-half or whole milk rather than heavy cream.

Pro Cooking Hint: To make the dish more flavorful, cook the chicken in both butter and olive oil.

Suggestions for Serving

• Can be served with a fresh salad with vinaigrette dressing to make a wholesome meal.
• Go well with garlic bread or toast points to mop up the creamy sauce.
• Enjoy with a glass of chilled white wine or sparkling water.
• Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container and eaten for up to 2 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Optional Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 580mg

Nutrition values are approximate and can vary depending on ingredients and brands used.