Creamy One Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe

INTRODUCTION

Creamy one pot chicken pasta delivers restaurant-quality Italian-American comfort in single skillet where tender chicken, al dente pasta, and silky garlic parmesan sauce cook together creating weeknight dinner hero. This creamy one pot chicken pasta recipe eliminates traditional multi-pot hassle by cooking pasta directly in seasoned chicken broth, allowing noodles to absorb rich flavors while releasing starches that naturally thicken cream sauce to perfect consistency. The strategic cooking order—searing chicken first, building sauce foundation, then simmering pasta in flavorful liquid—ensures every component achieves ideal texture and taste without complicated techniques or constant monitoring. Fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes add color, nutrition, and tangy brightness that balance rich cream sauce preventing heaviness.

Creamy One Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe

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Restaurant-quality creamy chicken pasta with tender chicken pieces, penne, and silky garlic parmesan cream sauce all cooked together in one skillet for easy weeknight dinner.

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), chopped
• Fresh basil for garnish

 

• Extra parmesan for serving

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Instructions

• Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in large deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
• Add chicken in single layer and sear 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
• Transfer seared chicken to plate and set aside.
• Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to skillet.
• Stir garlic constantly 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
• Pour in chicken broth to deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits.
• Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using.
• Bring mixture to gentle boil then maintain steady simmer.
• Add dry pasta directly to simmering broth and stir immediately.
• Cook pasta according to package directions minus 2 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes.
• Keep all pasta submerged in liquid, adding more broth if needed.
• When pasta is nearly al dente, return chicken to skillet.
• Pour heavy cream over everything and stir gently to combine.
• Add sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, stirring until spinach wilts.
• Sprinkle parmesan over mixture and stir until cheese melts.
• Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired consistency.
• Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or parmesan.

 

• Serve immediately garnished with fresh basil and extra parmesan.

Notes

• Pat chicken dry for best searing and golden crust
• Don’t skip searing chicken – it builds flavor foundation
• Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking
• Pasta releases starches that naturally thicken sauce
• Add broth if liquid evaporates too quickly
• Sauce thickens as it cools – add cream to thin if needed
• Use any short pasta shape – penne, rotini, or rigatoni
• Fresh spinach wilts quickly – don’t overcook
• Leftover pasta thickens when cold – add broth when reheating

 

• Best served fresh but stores refrigerated up to 3 days

• Author: David Cooper
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: One Pot
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 685 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 110mg

The brilliance of this one pot chicken pasta lies in superior flavor development impossible when components cook separately—chicken drippings flavor cooking liquid, pasta starches create velvety sauce, and everything melds into cohesive dish greater than sum of parts. Unlike traditional pasta recipes requiring separate pot for boiling noodles, colander for draining, and additional pan for sauce, this streamlined method uses single skillet from start to finish saving time, energy, and counter space. The result delivers creamy, satisfying dinner ready in 30 minutes that rivals Italian restaurants while creating minimal cleanup afterward. This recipe joins our collection of easy one pot meals proving that weeknight cooking can be both simple and spectacular when proper technique meets quality ingredients.

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS

Protein & Pasta:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz penne or rotini pasta (any short pasta shape)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing chicken
• Salt and black pepper for seasoning

Creamy Sauce Base:

• 3 cups chicken broth for cooking pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream creating richness
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese for salty depth
• 4 cloves garlic minced for aromatic foundation
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning adding herbs
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, adds heat)

Fresh Additions:

• 2 cups fresh baby spinach for color and nutrition
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed) adding tangy sweetness
• Fresh basil for garnish enhancing Italian flavors
• Extra parmesan for serving

FOOLPROOF ONE POT METHOD

Chicken Preparation Phase: Pat chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels—moisture prevents proper browning creating steamed rather than seared texture. Season chicken generously with salt and black pepper on all sides ensuring even coverage. Heat olive oil in large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add chicken pieces in single layer without crowding, working in batches if necessary to prevent temperature drop. Sear chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown crust forms—chicken doesn’t need to cook through completely as it finishes during pasta cooking. Transfer seared chicken to plate and set aside while building sauce foundation in same pan with flavorful browned bits.

Sauce Foundation Building: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to skillet with residual oil and chicken drippings, stirring constantly 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned—burnt garlic creates bitter taste. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze pan, using wooden spoon to scrape up all browned bits stuck to bottom as these concentrated flavor pieces enrich final sauce. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using, stirring to distribute evenly. Bring mixture to gentle boil, then maintain steady simmer that will cook pasta properly without violent bubbling that breaks noodles.

One Pot Pasta Cooking: Add dry pasta directly to simmering broth—no pre-cooking or draining required using this revolutionary method. Stir pasta immediately to prevent sticking, then occasionally throughout cooking as pasta releases starches that thicken sauce naturally. Cook pasta according to package directions minus 2 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes and ensuring all noodles stay submerged in liquid. As pasta cooks, broth reduces and sauce begins thickening from released starches creating creamy consistency without flour-based roux. If liquid evaporates too quickly before pasta reaches al dente texture, add additional broth or water 1/4 cup at a time.

Final Assembly: When pasta reaches nearly al dente texture with slight bite remaining, return seared chicken pieces to skillet nestling them into pasta. Pour heavy cream over everything, stirring gently to combine without breaking pasta. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, stirring until spinach wilts and cream integrates with cooking liquid creating unified sauce. Sprinkle grated parmesan over mixture, stirring continuously as cheese melts and binds sauce together creating silky coating on every pasta piece. Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired consistency—it will continue thickening slightly as it cools. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or parmesan as needed.

CREATIVE SERVING AND STORAGE

Serving Suggestions: Serve creamy one pot chicken pasta immediately in shallow bowls for best presentation, garnishing with fresh torn basil leaves, extra parmesan shavings, and cracked black pepper. Crusty garlic bread alongside soaks up extra sauce while simple green salad provides fresh contrast to rich pasta. This complete meal needs no additional sides, making weeknight dinner effortlessly elegant and satisfying for entire family.

Storage Guidelines: Store leftover pasta in airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days. Sauce thickens considerably when cold—reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, adding splash of chicken broth or cream to restore creamy consistency. Avoid freezing cream-based pasta as dairy separates upon thawing creating grainy texture. This recipe tastes best fresh but reheats acceptably for quick lunch leftovers.

CONCLUSION

This creamy one pot chicken pasta recipe demonstrates how single-skillet cooking can produce restaurant-quality Italian-American comfort without multiple pots, complicated techniques, or extensive cleanup afterward. The strategic cooking method allows pasta to absorb rich chicken and garlic flavors while natural starches create silky parmesan cream sauce coating every piece perfectly. Whether serving busy weeknight family dinners or impressing dinner guests with minimal effort, this reliable recipe proves that exceptional pasta welcomes everyone to table where delicious satisfaction meets cooking simplicity. For more inspiring single-pot dinners, explore our complete collection of easy one pot meals featuring 22+ recipes that make weeknight cooking stress-free.