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This easy one pot creamy chicken pasta is rich, packed with flavor, and weeknight ready!
You asked, I answered…this one pot creamy chicken pasta is your ticket to weeknight winning. Or weekend winning. Or just straight up taste bud winning.
Because this dish is the definition of winner, winner, chicken dinner. It is quick, it’s decadent, and it is stomach and soul satisfying.
And did I mention that only one pot needs washing after dinner? Yup. One pot creamy chicken pasta is on the table in 40 mins and will please everyone at the table.
Why will this be your family’s favorite? Let’s talk ingredients for this creamy chicken pasta.
Chicken and pasta (obviously), pancetta (for that salty bite), white wine (for a pop of acidity) to deglaze, and parmesan for all of that umami.
Swirl in a splash of cream and I promise whomever you’re serving, any night of the week, will be eating out of your hand. It’s that good.
Let’s make one pot creamy chicken pasta
- Cook the pancetta until crispy. Remove to a plate to drain but leave the drippings in the pan.
- Season and coat the chicken in flour. Cook in the pancetta drippings until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove to a plate.
- Cook the garlic until golden brown.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine and reduce slightly.
- Add the stock and cream to the pan and bring to a simmer.
- Slice the chicken and crumble the pancetta. Add the pasta, chicken, pancetta, parsley, and seasonings to the pan. Cover and cook 10 mins.
- Uncover and stir. Continue to cook about 10-15 mins until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- Stir in the parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately.
Tips for success
- Don’t have pancetta? Substitute 5-6 strips of bacon.
- Don’t skip dredging the chicken in flour. Not only does it give the chicken a golden brown crust, it helps to thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Don’t over-cook the chicken! It will continue to cook after it’s mixed into the stock.
- Any medium type pasta will work in this creamy chicken pasta. I love medium shells, but rotini, farfalle, or penne would be excellent substitutes.
- When you deglaze with the white wine, be sure to scrape up all the browned bits for added flavor.
- I keep this dish simple with just parsley, but torn basil leaves would also be delicious.
- Leftovers? Reheat with an extra splash of cream and/or stock.
This easy one pot creamy chicken pasta is rich, packed with flavor, and weeknight ready!
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 oz pancetta (sliced or cubed)
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thin cut
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup AP flour
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 10 oz dried pasta (shells, rotini or other medium size pasta)
- 1/4 cup parsley, minced (+1 Tbsp for garnish)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
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Heat the oil and lay the pancetta (if sliced) in a single layer in the bottom of dutch oven or large heavy bottomed pot. Cook over medium heat until crisp, turning over once. Remove the pancetta to a paper towel lined plate and leave the drippings in the pan.
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Season the chicken on both sides with kosher salt and pepper and dredge in flour. Cook the chicken in the pancetta drippings over med/high heat until cooked through, turning once (about 8-10 mins). Remove the chicken to a plate.
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Add the garlic to the pan and cook until golden and fragrant, about 2 mins. Add a splash of olive oil if the pan is dry.
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Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by one half.
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Add the stock and cream to the pan and season with kosher salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
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Crumble the pancetta and slice the chicken into strips. Stir the pasta, pancetta, chicken, parsley, and red pepper flakes into the stock/cream. Cover and cook for 10 mins over medium heat.
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Uncover and cook until the pasta is cooked al dente, 10-15 mins.
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Stir in the parmesan and top with a sprinkle of parsley and serve.
- Don’t have pancetta? Substitute 5-6 strips of bacon.
- Don’t skip dredging the chicken in flour. Not only does it give the chicken a golden brown crust, it helps to thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Don’t over-cook the chicken! It will continue to cook after it’s mixed into the stock.
- Any medium type pasta will work in this creamy chicken pasta. I love medium shells, but rotini, farfalle, or penne would be excellent substitutes.
- When you deglaze with the white wine, be sure to scrape up all the browned bits for added flavor.
- I keep this dish simple with just parsley, but torn basil leaves would also be delicious.
- Leftovers? Reheat with an extra splash of cream and/or stock.
Matt Sterling says
This was so easy and had great flavor…can’t wait for the leftovers!
E says
Hi I am pretty new to cooking. I’ve made this recipe twice and followed the recipe/instructions almost exact to what was written. But both times I feel like my noodles don’t look as creamy as the pictures, still delicious though.
Am I missing something?
Cathy Roma says
Hmm. Be sure to flour the chicken and you may need to cook it a little longer. You can also try reducing the amount of stock slightly. Hope that helps!
Rosana British Columbia says
OMG this could be one of my favorite dishes! I would definitely will try it one of these days. I’m already hungry by the idea. Thank you 🙂
Amy says
Love this recipe, it’s great with bacon and I cut the chicken into smaller bits at the beginning. I also add frozen peas.
Cathy Roma says
Love the additions! Great idea.