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    Creamy Chicken Pasta

    Sep 13, 2017 · 608 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta in White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce will remind you of your favorite dinner experience! Easy to make weeknight one pot pasta dish! With only 30 minutes of total work, this  dinner recipe is simple, fast and delicious! It almost sounds too easy to be as good as it is.

    Italian Chicken Pasta in Creamy White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce

    Juicy chicken, pasta in cream sauce and parmesan! I do love to have myself some flavorful and delicious chicken pasta dinner once a week. A simple meal that is flavor packed in no time!

    I think there’s nothing better than having a restaurant quality creamy pasta dish on the table within minutes. Especially when I’m treating my family and friends. They love a good comfort meal any night of the week!

    Jump to:
    • What wine to use
    • Wine substitutes
    • To make it dairy free
    • What kind of pasta to use
    • What kind of chicken to use
    • How to cook chicken breasts
    • How to make pasta sauce
    • When to add cheese
    • When to cook pasta
    • Assembly of creamy chicken pasta
    • Store, make ahead, refrigerate
    • More chicken pasta dishes to enjoy
    • Watch how to make Creamy Chicken Pasta in White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce
    • Italian Chicken Pasta in Creamy White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce

    What wine to use

    Cooking with wine is easy if you just know how and what wine to use. I used dry Pinot Grigio white wine to make my creamy chicken pasta, which produced an excellent flavor for the sauce.

    When cooking with wine, never use “cooking wine”. It’s loaded with sodium and lacks the unique flavor of the real wine. Cooking with a regular drinking wine will always give you a better tasting dish because the quality is much higher.

    Chicken Pasta in Creamy White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce

    Chardonnay, Riesling or Pinot Grigio are also great wine choices to cook with. Italian chicken pasta dishes benefit greatly in flavor when the wine is added during the cooking process.

    I love cooking with wine and have a large number of recipes on this website that are amazingly tasty and easy to make all thanks to wine. Using a good quality drinking wine is such an easy way to create a tasty creamy chicken pasta dish!

    Wine substitutes

    • Lemon Juice is an ideal substitute for dry white wine. Squeeze two wedges of fresh lemon into your sauce and add additional ½ cup of chicken stock.
    • White Wine Vinegar is an great substitute for dry white wine. Made from white wine, it has many of the same flavor characteristics. Minus the alcohol. In this recipe use only a splash of vinegar + ½ cup chicken stock. Too much vinegar will curdle cream, therefore little is more here!
    • Rice Vinegar – do not use it! A brave reader attempted it and the result was simply miserable. Trashcan! Thank you Evangelina for reporting back.
    • I do not recommend Apple Cider Vinegar because it can be too strong of a substitute. A reader recommended to add ONLY a splash of it. Add more only if you desire a stronger flavor.
    • Chicken or vegetable stock. You can substitute stock for white wine entirely if not a fan of vinegar.
    • For extra flavor, try mixing a tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of stock.
    Chicken Cutlets in Cream Sauce

    To make it dairy free

    Use chicken broth instead. For those who do not want dairy, or want to make this pasta dish a bit healthier, skip the cream and use chicken broth instead. All you need to do is let the broth cook down a bit more.

    What kind of pasta to use

    I like to make my chicken pasta using spaghetti but your favorite variety will work just as well. Linguine, for example is always a popular option to make an Italian Chicken pasta. You can also substitute whole grain or whole wheat pasta for added nutritional value!

    What kind of chicken to use

    Use thin chicken breasts. This Italian Chicken Pasta recipe calls for 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts that are THIN.

    If you can’t find thin ones, just butterfly thick ones. Tenderizing works too, even though I didn’t tenderize mine, just got thin ones from the store.

    If you buy regular chicken breasts (those not labeled as thin), make sure to halve them horizontally. For example, 1 pound of large chicken breasts usually yields 2 of them. And when you half each you will get 4 nice thin chicken fillets.

    How to cook chicken breasts

    • First and foremost, paper towel dry the chicken. Chicken breasts that are excessively moist won’t brown evenly and beautifully.
    • Then, in a large bowl, combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. I usually stir them well to blend and then use a fork or tongs to coat the chicken breasts in the flour mixture.
    • Next, I add olive oil to a large skillet and set heat to medium-high. Once the skillet is hot, it’s time to place coated chicken breasts in the skillet and start cooking! Cook on medium high for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Chickens will turn golden brown on both sides.
    • IMPORTANT TIP! Make sure to turn the chicken only once between cooking! You will cook chicken breasts for a total of about 8-10 minutes. Turning only once. I repeat, turn the chicken just once.

    How to make pasta sauce

    • First things first, melt butter in the pan, then add diced yellow onion and minced garlic cloves. Start cooking on medium high until onions and garlic are translucent, about 2 minutes.
    • Next add chopped scallions and diced tomatoes and cook them until softened.
    Creamy White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce
    • Once you soften scallions and tomatoes, you will add flour to pan and whisk to combine. This will help thicken the sauce.
    • Now add heavy cream, wine and seasonings!
    • Lastly, bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to simmering point.

    When to add cheese

    Once you reduce the heat, add ½ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. It’s important to REDUCE THE HEAT before adding the cheese to avoid clumping

    In order to incorporate Parmesan well, make sure to use a whisk. Or mix with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth mixture.

    Creamy White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce

    When to cook pasta

    Cook pasta after you make the sauce so that pasta is fresh. Besides, when pasta is hot it can absorb the sauce very well making it so very tasty.

    If you like pasta that is neither too hard nor too soft, always cook it Al Dente. You will drain, but not rinse the pasta in order for the sauce to stick.

    Drain, but do not rinse!

    Assembly of creamy chicken pasta

    • ADD COOKED PASTA to the skillet with the sauce and stir to combine on low heat for 2-4 minutes.
    • ADJUST THE SEASONING! You should taste the sauce at this point and add more salt and seasoning if needed.
    • RETURN COOKED CHICKEN BREASTS to the skillet on top of the pasta. Allow the skillet to warm up for an additional 5 minutes.
    • SERVE CHICKEN either on top or next to pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

    Store, make ahead, refrigerate

    REFRIGERATE. Keep your chicken pasta refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to enjoy for up to 1 week.

    MAKE IT IN ADVANCE. If you don’t plan to serve this creamy chicken pasta right away, you can make it in advance to serve later. In fact, the flavors will develop even more as it sits! However, keep in mind that the pasta will absorb a lot of the sauce. Therefore your dish will be less creamy if you make it in advance and store all the ingredients together.

    The solution? Simply add more cream or chicken stock when reheating.

    OMIT THE PASTA. Another alternative to keep the dish fresh would be to prepare everything except for the pasta. You can refrigerate it for up to 1 week and then cook the pasta fresh when you are ready to serve it.

    More chicken pasta dishes to enjoy

    Lazone Chicken Pasta
    Bacon Alfredo Chicken Pasta
    Pesto Chicken Pasta
    Chardonnay Chicken Pasta

    Watch how to make Creamy Chicken Pasta in White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce

    Chicken breasts on spaghetti in a pan
    Print Recipe
    4.43 from 599 votes

    Italian Chicken Pasta in Creamy White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce

    This pasta recipe will remind you of your favorite Italian dining experience!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: chicken pasta
    Servings: 4 servings
    servings
    Author: Olya

    Ingredients

    For cooking chicken:

    • 4 thin boneless skinless chicken breasts, (or 2 thick ones, halved horizontally and paper towel dried)
    • ½ cup flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

    Pasta:

    • 12 oz of spaghetti

    White Wine Parmesan Sauce:

    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 1 small yellow onion (or use ½ onion), chopped
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 scallions, chopped
    • 2 small tomatoes, diced
    • 1 tablespoon flour
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 cup white wine
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
    • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon salt, more to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

    Instructions

    • PREPARING CHICKEN BREASTS:
       Make sure to cut chicken breasts
      horizontally
      to make them thin. Or, use thin chicken breasts to begin with. Paper towel dry the chicken. 
    • In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir well to blend. Using a fork or tongs, coat the chicken breasts in the flour mixture by pressing into the mixture with tongs and then flipping the chicken over to coat the other side. Set aside.
    • COOKING CHICKEN BREASTS: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, place flour coated chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, turning once between cooking, about 8-10 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
    • SAUCE: Add butter, diced yellow onion and minced garlic cloves to pan. Cook on medium high until onions and garlic are translucent, about 2 minutes. Next add chopped scallions and tomatoes. Add 1 tablespoon flour to pan and whisk to combine. 
    • Now add heavy cream, wine, Italian Seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes. Bring mixture to a simmering point and then add ½ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. Use a whisk or a wooden spoon and mix it in until you have a smooth mixture.
    • COOKING PASTA according to your package instructions in salty water. I like pasta that is neither too hard nor too soft, so I always cook it Al Dente. Drain, but do not rinse.
    • FINAL ASSEMBLY: Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and stir to combine on low heat for 2-4 minutes. Taste and add salt, if needed. Return chicken to skillet on top of the pasta and allow it to warm up for an additional 5 minutes.
    • SERVE chicken either on top or next to pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
    Nutrition Facts
    Italian Chicken Pasta in Creamy White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 998 Calories from Fat 432
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 48g74%
    Saturated Fat 25g156%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 192mg64%
    Sodium 986mg43%
    Potassium 935mg27%
    Carbohydrates 86g29%
    Fiber 5g21%
    Sugar 5g6%
    Protein 44g88%
    Vitamin A 1992IU40%
    Vitamin C 12mg15%
    Calcium 264mg26%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only. This information comes from online calculators. Although whatsinthepan.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

    Video

    Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta

    And how about this amazing Cajun Chicken and Sausage Penne Pasta dish?

    We also enjoyed this Chicken Spinach and Bacon Alfredo Pasta. By the way, you can easily make both recipes midweek!

    « Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells with Sausage and Spinach
    Cinnamon Roll Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Icing »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy says

      February 04, 2023 at 8:37 pm

      Made this tonight. It was delicious!

      Reply
      • Olya says

        February 04, 2023 at 11:28 pm

        Yay!

        Reply
    2. JennW says

      January 29, 2023 at 9:24 pm

      I’m gonna have to make this again. I forgot the tomatoes!! And then I forgot the red pepper flakes. Honestly, it was still delicious, but I think the tomatoes would have made it a bit better. The funny thing is, I didn’t have fresh tomatoes so I had thawed a half of a cup of diced tomatoes from a can I used last week. Those are still sitting on the counter. **face palm**. Great recipe.

      Reply
      • Olya says

        January 29, 2023 at 10:52 pm

        You can chop them up for the next round of creamy chicken pasta, Jenn

        Reply
    3. Stephanie says

      January 22, 2023 at 10:34 am

      Made it and loved it! The only thing I would do differently next time is season the chicken itself with salt and pepper before coating in the flour mixture. Other than that, the recipe as is was amazing. I can also see myself using shrimp and making this same pasta. So good! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Olya says

        January 22, 2023 at 7:29 pm

        Sounds like you nailed the Creamy Chicken Pasta, Stephanie!

        Reply
    4. Julee says

      January 15, 2023 at 7:54 pm

      Very good!! Took me longer than 30 mins. I only had half a cup of wine so I used 1/2 cup of chicken broth as a substitute. I didn’t have heavy cream so I used half and half. Would make again!!

      Reply
    5. Gayle says

      January 09, 2023 at 7:57 pm

      Made this for the first time tonight. I doubled the recipe and had to thicken the sauce a little, but it came out great! Will definitely make again!

      Reply
      • Olya says

        January 10, 2023 at 5:39 pm

        Doubling saves time and effort – good move and glad you liked it!

        Reply
    6. Andrea says

      December 19, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      So yum!!! I left out the wine and used milk. Turned out amazing

      Reply
    7. Andrea says

      December 12, 2022 at 11:41 pm

      Omg this was amazing. I did have to use white cooking wine but it was still amazing and everyone loved it. Definitely making again.

      Reply
      • Olya says

        December 14, 2022 at 6:25 pm

        So glad it worked with the cooking wine!

        Reply
    8. Laura says

      December 10, 2022 at 4:34 pm

      Looks delicious and will try it this week

      Reply
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    Hi, I'm Olya! Welcome to the online home of my recipes that will make you look like a pro, yet without having to spend too much time in the kitchen! More about me →

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