Description
This creamy white sauce chicken pasta features tender seared chicken, a rich garlic-parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta—all made in one pot and ready in 30 minutes. Ideal for easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin 2-inch strips
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup milk (1% or preferred)
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups chicken stock or broth
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 10 ounces dry uncooked pasta (penne or any shape)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into thin strips and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
- Chop the parsley and mince the garlic.
- In a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, parmesan, and milk. Whisk in cornstarch until smooth. Stir in chicken stock and most of the parsley, reserving some for garnish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta for 5–7 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add olive oil and sear chicken in a single layer for 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Reduce heat to low and add garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the sauce mixture, stirring continuously until it thickens.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and chicken, or return everything to the pasta pot. Toss to combine.
- Garnish with reserved parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Add cooked vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms for added nutrition and texture.
- Use rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken for faster prep.
- Replace mayonnaise with sour cream or cream cheese if preferred.
- Adjust sauce thickness by adding milk to thin or simmering to thicken.
- Short or long pasta shapes both work well in this recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
