Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a creamy, not grainy, Parmesan cheese sauce?

The secret is to use freshly grated Parmesan from a block and to add it to your sauce over a very low heat . Pre-shredded, bagged cheeses are coated in starches that will prevent them from melting smoothly and will make your sauce grainy. Adding the freshly grated cheese slowly and over a gentle heat is the key that will allow it to melt beautifully into a perfectly smooth and velvety sauce.

Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time for a party?

This dish is at its absolute creamiest and best when it is served fresh. However, you can save a ton of time by preparing the sauce completely and storing it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to eat, you can simply reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop while you cook your fresh pasta and chicken.

Q3: What is the best way to reheat a cream-based pasta sauce?

The key to reheating a cream sauce is to do it low and slow . Place the leftover pasta and sauce in a skillet or a saucepan over a low heat. Add a generous splash of milk, cream, or broth and stir it gently as it heats up. The extra liquid will help to bring back the original, luscious and creamy consistency of the sauce.

Q4: Can I use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream to make the sauce lighter?

You can, but the final sauce will be significantly thinner and less rich . It will also be more susceptible to "breaking" or curdling. For the most foolproof, decadent, and stable sauce, a heavy cream with its high fat content is highly recommended.

Q5: What is the best way to cook the chicken so it stays juicy?

The secret is to not overcook it ! A medium-high heat is perfect for getting a quick, beautiful, golden-brown sear on the outside of the chicken cubes. Then, when you add the chicken back to the sauce to simmer for a few minutes, it will finish cooking gently and will absorb all the delicious flavors of the sauce, which will keep it wonderfully moist and tender.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A quick and rich one-pan recipe for a creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta. This dish features bite-sized pieces of chicken breast, seasoned with Italian herbs and seared until golden. A luxurious and velvety sauce is then created in the same skillet by sautéing fresh garlic, deglazing with chicken broth, and adding heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Cooked twisted pasta (fusilli) and the seared chicken are tossed in the sauce until well coated, creating a restaurant-worthy meal in about 30 minutes.

Author: Evelyn

Ingredients

2 large Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 lb Twisted pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini)
3 Tbsp Unsalted butter
4–5 cloves Fresh garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups Heavy cream
1/2 cup Chicken broth
1 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 Tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken cubes dry and season them with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes; cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce.
If the sauce is too thick, add splashes of the reserved pasta water until it reaches a silky, clinging consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

This is a one-pan meal (for the chicken and sauce), which builds layers of flavor by cooking the sauce in the same skillet used for the chicken.
Reserving the starchy pasta water is a key step that helps to emulsify the sauce and allows you to adjust its consistency.
Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese, rather than pre-shredded, is recommended as it melts more smoothly into the sauce without clumping.

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/parmesan-chicken-pasta/