Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Delight
Indulge in a sumptuous pasta dish where tender chicken meets a luscious, creamy garlic sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe offers a symphony of flavors balanced with a touch of nutmeg and accents of sautéed mushrooms and peas. It's a versatile dish that shines with chicken or, for a seafood twist, crab meat.
4
Servings
600
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
shell pasta
2 cups (boiled in lightly salted water)
canola oil
2 tablespoons (for frying)
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (cubed and fried)
2% low-fat milk
4 cups (for making sauce)
flour
3 tablespoons (for roux)
butter or margarine
3 tablespoons (for sautéing garlic)
minced garlic cloves
2-3 (freshly minced)
salt
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (freshly ground)
nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon
grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (for sauce)
mushrooms
3/4 cup (sliced and sautéed)
frozen peas
1/3 cup (thawed)
Instructions
1
Cook the shell pasta in lightly salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large frying pan, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and fry until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
3
In a large pot, melt the butter or margarine over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring continuously. Be careful not to brown the garlic.
4
Add the flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the pot, stirring constantly to form a roux. The mixture should be smooth and free of lumps.
5
Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens.
6
Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated.
7
Add the browned chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and peas into the creamy garlic sauce. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and heated through.
8
Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
9
Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
23g
Fat
50g
Carbs
45g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Delight?
It is a sumptuous pasta dish where tender chicken meets a luscious, creamy garlic sauce, balanced with nutmeg, sautéed mushrooms, and peas.
What type of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of shell pasta, cooked al dente in lightly salted water.
Can I substitute the chicken with another protein?
Yes, for a seafood twist, the chicken can be replaced with crab meat.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to provide 4 servings.
What are the primary vegetables included in the dish?
The dish features 3/4 cup of sliced, sautéed mushrooms and 1/3 cup of thawed frozen peas.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories.
What kind of milk should be used for the sauce?
The recipe specifies using 4 cups of 2% low-fat milk for the creamy garlic sauce.
How is the creamy sauce base created?
The sauce starts with a roux made of 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine and 3 tablespoons of flour.
How much garlic is needed for the recipe?
You will need 2 to 3 freshly minced garlic cloves.
What is the protein content of this pasta dish?
The recipe provides 45g of protein per serving.
What type of cheese is used in the sauce?
The sauce uses 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish.
How should the chicken be prepared?
Use 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed and fried in canola oil until lightly browned.
What spices are used to season the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg.
How long should I sauté the garlic?
Sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute, ensuring it does not brown.
Is there a specific oil recommended for frying the chicken?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 2 tablespoons of canola oil for frying the chicken.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 23g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
Each serving contains 50g of carbohydrates.
Should the peas be cooked beforehand?
The frozen peas should be thawed before being added to the sauce to heat through.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 13 unique ingredients listed for this recipe.
What texture should the pasta have?
The shell pasta should be cooked until it is al dente.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine.
What is the secret ingredient that adds a unique flavor to the sauce?
A touch of nutmeg (1/8 teaspoon) provides a unique balance to the creamy garlic flavors.
When should the parmesan cheese be added?
Stir in the parmesan cheese after the milk mixture has simmered and thickened, until it is fully melted.
How do you combine the pasta and sauce?
Once the sauce is thickened and ingredients are heated through, mix the cooked pasta with the sauce until well coated.
Is this dish suitable for a cozy dinner?
Yes, it is described as a comfort food perfect for a cozy dinner.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include pasta, chicken, creamy garlic sauce, comfort food, easy dinner, and italian-inspired.
Should the garlic be browned?
No, you should be careful not to brown the garlic while sautéing.
What is the preparation method for the mushrooms?
The mushrooms should be sliced and sautéed before being added to the sauce.
How should the dish be served?
Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese if desired.
What consistency should the roux have?
The mixture of flour, butter, and seasonings should be smooth and free of lumps.