One Pan Creamy Chicken Pasta (Print Version)
A comforting all-in-one dish featuring tender chicken, sautéed vegetables, and luscious creamy sauce cooked together in a single pan.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Pasta & Liquids
09 - 10 oz penne or short pasta
10 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Oils & Extras
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning in a bowl, tossing evenly to coat.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add chopped onion to the same pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in diced red bell pepper and continue cooking for 2 minutes until slightly tender.
05 - Add uncooked pasta to the pan, then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Return cooked chicken to the pan. Add baby spinach and Parmesan cheese, stirring until spinach wilts and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Divide pasta among bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The pasta cooks directly in the creamy sauce, absorbing every drop of flavor while it simmers
- One pan means you spend less time washing dishes and more time actually eating
02 -
- The sauce will look thin when you first add the liquid but thickens beautifully as the pasta releases starch into the cream
- Cooking the pasta directly in the sauce means it absorbs way more flavor than boiling it separately ever could
03 -
- If the sauce looks too thick before the pasta is done, add more broth a quarter cup at a time
- Reserve a handful of Parmesan to sprinkle on top right before serving for the best texture