Pasta with Chicken and Cream Sauce

Pasta with Chicken and Cream Sauce is a simple and filling meal that takes very little time to prepare. It combines tender chicken pieces with a smooth and rich sauce made from double cream and parmesan cheese. This dish is perfect for a busy weekday when you want something comforting and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Most people already have these basic ingredients in their cupboard or fridge.
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Why you should make pasta with chicken and cream sauce

This recipe is popular because it uses a few high quality ingredients to create a professional result at home. The double cream creates a thick coating for the pasta which stays silky until you are ready to eat. Adding fresh garlic and plenty of black pepper brings out the best flavours in the chicken. You can easily adapt pasta with chicken and cream sauce by adding vegetables like peas or mushrooms if you have them.

Follow these 4 steps for pasta with chicken and cream sauce

Step 1
Boil the pasta: Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring it to a boil and cook the pasta according to the packets instructions until it is tender. Drain the water but keep a small amount of the cooking liquid aside. Set the pasta to the side while you prepare the rest of the meal.
Step 2
Cook the chicken: Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chicken and fry it until it is golden brown and cooked all the way through. Stir in the finely chopped garlic and cook for one more minute until it smells fragrant.
Step 3
Make the sauce: Pour the double cream into the pan with the chicken and lower the heat slightly. Let the cream simmer gently for a couple of minutes until it begins to thicken. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until it has melted into the liquid. This creates the base for your pasta with chicken and cream sauce.
Step 4
Combine and serve: Add the cooked pasta into the pan with the cream sauce and chicken. Toss everything together so each piece of pasta is well coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick you can add a splash of the saved pasta water. Serve the meal immediately in warm bowls with extra cheese on top.

Useful tips for pasta with chicken and cream sauce

Make sure you do not overcook the chicken as it will continue to heat once you add the cream. Using double cream instead of single cream ensures the sauce is thick and does not separate when heated. If you want a bit of extra flavour you can fry some sliced mushrooms along with the chicken. Freshly grated parmesan melts much better than the pre grated variety from a packet.

Always season your pasta water well as this is the only chance to flavour the pasta itself. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end can help balance the richness of the pasta with chicken and cream sauce. If you have leftovers you can store them in the fridge for up to two days and reheat gently with a little milk.

You might also enjoy plaice with hollandaise sauce, salmon fishcakes or mexican beef bake.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 400 g pasta
  • 500 g chicken breast
  • 250 ml double cream
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 50 g parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Cooking time

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Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:3787 kJ / 905 kcal
  • Fat:47 g
  • - of which saturates:23 g
  • Carbohydrates:75 g
  • - of which sugars:3 g
  • Protein:45 g
  • Fibre:3 g
  • Salt:800 mg

People also ask

You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When you want to eat it again reheat it slowly in a pan with a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce. This helps the pasta with chicken and cream sauce regain its creamy texture without becoming dry.
Chicken thighs are a great alternative as they stay very juicy and tender during cooking. Simply trim off any excess fat and cut them into small pieces before frying. They might take a few extra minutes to brown compared to breast meat but the result in your pasta with chicken and cream sauce will be very tasty.
Pasta with Chicken and Cream Sauce usually takes about 15 minutes to make. The time can vary slightly with the quantity and method. Check the texture towards the end.
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4.7 / 5 - (32 ratings)