Italian chicken pasta recipes perfectly combine delicious ingredients that create a symphony of flavors. In this blog post, we will journey through various Italian chicken pasta dishes that showcase Italy’s rich and diverse cuisine. From creamy Italian chicken pasta to slow cooker masterpieces, there’s a dish for everyone. So, let’s dive into these scrumptious recipes and make dinner an authentic Italian experience tonight.
Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe with Penne and Parmesan Cheese
This classic Italian chicken pasta dish combines tender chicken breasts, penne pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 12 oz penne pasta
To start, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and cook chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Add crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil in the same skillet. Cook on medium heat until the sauce thickens. Add cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet and toss until well combined. Serve with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
This creamy pasta dish is packed with so much flavor, thanks to the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, and fresh spinach. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 16 oz cooked pasta (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and cook chicken seasoned with salt and pepper. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in the same skillet and cook for a few minutes.
Next, add chicken broth, heavy cream, and cream cheese to the skillet, stirring until well combined. Add grated Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach, cooking until the spinach has wilted and the sauce has thickened. Add cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet and toss until well combined. Serve with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a side salad.
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Pasta with Mozzarella Cheese
This slow cooker Italian chicken pasta recipe is perfect for those busy days when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 cups frozen vegetables (bell peppers, onions, etc.)
- 16 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper and place them in the slow cooker. Combine Italian dressing, crushed red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and chicken stock in a separate bowl. Pour the mixture over the chicken thighs. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
About 30 minutes before serving, cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions. Add frozen vegetables to the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Once the vegetables are heated through, add cooked pasta to the slow cooker and mix well. Top with mozzarella cheese and let it melt before serving.
This recipe is designed for large slow cookers, so it leaves the average family with a fair amount of leftovers! If you want a smaller batch, just halve the ingredients and cook for 4-6 hours. Enjoy!
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Pasta
This creamy Italian chicken pasta recipe features a rich Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and nutritious broccoli. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz cooked pasta (fettuccine or linguine)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and cook seasoned chicken. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Next, add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add grated Parmesan cheese and cook until the sauce thickens. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions, adding broccoli florets during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Drain pasta and broccoli, and add them to the skillet along with the cooked chicken. Toss until well combined and heated through. Serve with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Pesto Chicken Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
This flavorful Italian chicken pasta dish features a vibrant pesto sauce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tender chicken. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup prepared basil pesto
- 12 oz cooked pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and cook seasoned chicken. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add prepared basil pestoand cook for 1-2 minutes to release the flavors.
Add cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, and cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing until well combined and heated through. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
Chicken Piccata Pasta
This zesty Italian chicken pasta recipe features a tangy lemon-caper sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup flour for dredging
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup capers, drained
- 12 oz cooked pasta (spaghetti or angel hair)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
In a shallow dish, combine flour with salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
Slice the cooked chicken and add it to the skillet along with the cooked pasta, tossing to combine and heat through. Serve with fresh parsley and extra lemon wedges.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
This rich and creamy Italian chicken pasta dish features sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a decadent cream sauce. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 12 oz cooked pasta (fettuccine or pappardelle)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and cook seasoned chicken. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Next, add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add grated Parmesan cheese and cook until the sauce thickens. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Slice the cooked chicken and add it to the skillet along with the cooked pasta, tossing to combine and heat through. Serve with fresh basil and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
Italian Sausage and Chicken Pasta Bake
This hearty Italian chicken pasta bake features chicken and sausage, a flavorful tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 16 oz cooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and cook seasoned chicken. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned and cooked through. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using), stirring to combine. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly. Slice the cooked chicken and add it to the skillet along with the cooked pasta, tossing to combine.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish and top with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with fresh basil and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
Chicken Carbonara Pasta
This indulgent Italian chicken pasta recipe features a rich and creamy carbonara sauce, crispy bacon, and tender chicken. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz cooked pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and cook seasoned chicken. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl. Cook pasta according to package instructions and drain, reserving some pasta water.
Add cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and bacon to the skillet, tossing to combine. Remove the skillet from the heat and slowly pour in the egg mixture, stirring constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water. Serve with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Recipe Variations and Tips
These Italian chicken pasta recipes can be easily customized to your preferences. For a gluten-free option, substitute gluten-free pasta in any of the recipes. If you prefer a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or replace some of the cream with chicken broth. For extra nutrition, you can also add more vegetables, such as diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini.
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also freeze cooked pasta dishes for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
These Italian chicken pasta recipes offer a variety of delicious meals that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a classic main dish cuisine, a creamy pasta dish, or a slow cooker masterpiece, these recipes are sure to please. Enjoy these mouthwatering dishes with your loved ones and experience the rich flavors of Italy in every bite.