Description
A comforting and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken pieces in a luscious sauce made with smoked paprika, roasted garlic, and fresh lemon.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 340 g (12 oz) fettuccine or pasta of choice
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken pieces, followed by smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Allow the flavors to mingle while you prep.
- Sauté the chicken: Heat olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your seasoned chicken in a single layer. Sear for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is beautifully browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Create the flavorful base: Lower the heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter in the same skillet. Once it bubbles, toss in the minced garlic, sautéing until it releases its tantalizing aroma—about 1 minute.
- Build the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to scrape up those flavorful browned bits lingering at the bottom of the skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream. Let it bubble away for 2 to 3 minutes, then gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until it melts into a creamy haven.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss it in the sauce, letting those flavors meld beautifully. Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and mix in the chopped parsley.
- Cook the pasta: In a separate pot, boil water and cook your fettuccine according to package instructions. Drain well.
- Combine and serve: Add the fresh pasta into the skillet, tossing everything together to ensure the fettuccine is swathed in the creamy sauce and chicken. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley for a pop of color.
Notes
Consider cooking the chicken and sauce early in the day. Just hold off on adding the pasta until it’s time to eat for maximum freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing & Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg