How To Make A Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor.

chicken breast

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: canned chicken

Canned chicken is a budget-friendly protein option.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is often less expensive than olive oil.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium-high heat.

Add in one diced chicken breast and season with onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, basil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and oregano.

Mix everything and cook the chicken until golden brown.

Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the same pan.

Sauté half a cup of diced onions for 3 minutes or until softened.

Add in 6 minced garlic cloves and sauté for about a minute or until fragrant.

Pour in 1 cup of penne pasta, 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, and 3 cups of chicken broth or enough to cover the pasta.

Add the same seasonings used earlier: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, basil, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and oregano. Mix well.

Turn up the heat and bring the sauce to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and allow the pasta to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.

After 5 minutes, add in 1 cup of chopped broccoli and mix.

Allow everything to simmer for 5 to 6 more minutes or until the pasta is tender.

After the pasta is tender, add in 4 oz of cream cheese and stir until smooth.

Once smooth, add in 0.25 cup of Parmesan cheese and stir.

Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss everything together.

Turn off the heat and top with mozzarella cheese.

Cover the pan for 1 minute or until the cheese melts.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens