Creamy Chicken Pasta 🍝

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast
• Chicken broth
• Flour
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/4 cups half and half
• 1/2 chicken bouillon cube
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese
• 1/2 lb. pasta of choice
• 1 lemon (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon EACH: onion powder, garlic salt, oregano, basil, mustard powder, parsley (all dried)
• 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions:

Prepare the Sauce Mixture:

In a bowl, blend the half and half with chicken broth, onion powder, garlic salt, oregano, basil, mustard powder, parsley, and smoked paprika. Set aside.

Prepare the Chicken:

Slice the chicken breast in half lengthwise to form thinner cuts. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Lightly coat with flour.

Cook the Chicken:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 10 minutes, then cut it into strips.

Deglaze the Pan:

While waiting for the water to boil for the pasta, deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the broth to reduce.

Prepare the Sauce Base:

Add butter to the skillet with the reduced broth and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute. Sprinkle in some flour and cook for an additional 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

Create the Creamy Sauce:

Gradually add the pre-prepared chicken broth and half and half mixture to the skillet. Add the bouillon cube and keep the sauce at a low simmer, stirring occasionally.

Cook the Pasta:

Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.

Finish the Sauce:

Melt the Parmesan and Romano cheeses into the simmering sauce, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.

Combine and Serve:

Add the drained pasta and chicken strips to the skillet, stirring until everything is well coated with the creamy sauce. If desired, add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.