I love pasta. I could eat it everyday and still feel the need for more. Since I started meal planning, I have tried to limit pasta dishes to once every other week especially since I have a serious lack of portion control when it comes to a big bowl of noodles! You can bet that if pasta is on the menu, then there is also a loaf of garlic bread on the table. In my defense, I also serve salad, so the two together should cancel each other out, right?!? When I hear Alfredo as an ingredient in pasta dishes I assume it will be a pretty heavy sauce, but not this dish. The Alfredo is nice and light, with a minimal amount of cream and butter. This was another quick and easy weeknight meal to throw together and one that we all enjoyed.
Ingredients
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12 oz bowtie Pasta
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4 tablespoons butter
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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3/4 cup dry white wine ( or chicken broth)
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1/2 cup half- and- half
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3 tablespoons heavy cream
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chicken broth, as needed for thinning
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3/4 cup Parmesan, freshly grated
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2 tablespoons parsley, minced
Directions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breast. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until deep golden brown on both sides and registers at 165 degrees. Remove from skillet. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips. Set aside.
- Add additional 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet, followed by the minced garlic. Stir the garlic around the pan to avoid burning, and cook for 1 minute. Poor in wine (or broth), then let it bubble up and reduce for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Add half-and-half, cream, and extra salt and pepper, whisking constantly until its all combined. Allow liquid to heat up and thicken for a few minutes. If it gets too thick, you may thin it with a little chicken broth.
- When the sauce looks good, remove from the heat. Add Parmesan to the pan, then throw the hot pasta right on top of it. Toss it a bit. Add the chicken and continue tossing until it’s all combined. Again, if it gets too thick, splash in some broth (you may return the pan to low heat if it needs it).
- Add seasonings to taste, if needed and top with minced parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Source: Pioneer Woman
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