Ingredients
Scale
- 10.5 oz (300 g) pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 20 g (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cup (300 ml) tomato sauce (passata)
- 1 cup half and half (single cream)
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Start by boiling your pasta in a large pot of salted water. You want it al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. (Here’s a little tip: throw a pinch of salt into the water — it seasons the pasta from the inside out!) Once done, reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining. This will come in handy for thinning the sauce later if needed.
- Sear the chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and butter in a large pan. Add your cubed chicken breast and cook until it’s lightly golden — about 5-6 minutes. You want it browned but not fully cooked through just yet since it’ll continue cooking in the sauce.
- Add aromatics: Toss in your finely diced onion, garlic, and red chili flakes. The aroma that fills the kitchen at this point is intoxicating! Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Build the sauce: Now, add your Italian seasoning and passata. Stir everything together and let it bubble gently on low heat for a few minutes. This helps the flavors meld together. After about 2-3 minutes, pour in the cream, stirring to combine.
- Combine the pasta and sauce: Once the sauce is thick and bubbling, add the cooked pasta and stir in the grated Parmesan. (You may need to add a splash of that reserved pasta water here to get the consistency just right.) Everything should be coated in that luscious sauce.
- Finish with herbs: Finally, stir in the chopped parsley, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and serve immediately. The fresh herbs at the end make the dish sing!
Notes
How to serve and present this dish
When it comes to serving, I like to garnish the pasta with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley. If you want to be fancy, a few fresh basil leaves scattered over the top look beautiful too. Serve the pasta family-style in a large bowl, or if you’re hosting a dinner, plate it individually with a little extra Parmesan on the side so your guests can help themselves.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner