Creamy Paprika Chicken Pasta
A delightful dish featuring tender chicken, a luscious creamy sauce, and the warm smokiness of paprika, perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts Tenders or thighs
- ½ teaspoon paprika Smoked or hot
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 10 ounces short-cut pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup yellow onions, finely chopped
- 4-6 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1 teaspoon hot paprika
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 cup half and half
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup chicken stock
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon parsley For topping
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Fill a large stock pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Salt it generously before adding your pasta.
- Cook the pasta for one minute less than the package directions indicate. Reserve half a cup of pasta water, drain, and set aside.
Preparing the Chicken
- Season chicken breasts or thighs with paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Cook the seasoned chicken for 6 to 12 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the pan, let it rest, and slice it into bite-sized pieces.
Making the Sauce
- In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and add butter and onions. Sauté for four minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and both paprikas. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
- Stir in remaining kosher salt and chicken stock, scraping brown bits from the pan.
- Once simmering, add half-and-half. Whisk sour cream in a bowl, temper it by adding warm sauce, and then mix into the pan.
- Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
Combining Everything
- Add reserved pasta to the pan, mixing gently to coat evenly. Adjust sauce thickness with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve with sliced chicken mixed in or on top. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
For best texture, ensure pasta is cooked al dente. Consider adding vegetables or using different proteins to create variations of this recipe.