Tender farfalle noodles coated in a creamy and rich white pasta sauce with sautéed onions, peppers and shredded chicken. Your family will be begging for seconds of this creamy chicken pasta recipe!
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A Delicious Twist on Alfredo
My family loves pasta dishes, so we’re always looking for new recipes to try. This recipe was inspired by a dish at the Italian restaurant Biaggi’s. I loved it so much that I had to recreate it at home.
The creamy white sauce and flavorful seasonings are what makes this dish. It’s a yummy twist on the classic chicken fettuccine alfredo, but with added lemon pepper and creole seasoning. It packs a punch of flavor in each bite and is rich and comforting like my chicken tetrazzini recipe.
The original Biaggi’s recipe also had peas and bacon crumbs (which I thought was yummy), but I decided to omit those. Feel free to mix in your favorite veggies to create a dish YOUR family will love. And don’t forget to serve with warm garlic bread or breadsticks!
Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken makes this dish come together in a snap.
- Bell pepper: Sliced red bell pepper adds a nice crunch to this dish.
- Green onion: I like to use green onions to help cut some of the creaminess.
- Seasoning: Lemon pepper, Creole seasoning, and dried basil add a boost of flavor to this pasta.
- Heavy whipping cream: This is a key ingredient to the creaminess of the pasta.
- Flour: This helps thicken the sauce and makes it stand up to the pasta..
- Farfalle noodles: I prefer farfalle because the shape perfectly holds the sauce.
Variations
- Noodles: Other varieties like fettucine or penne pasta would also taste delicious.
- Meat: Swap the chicken with shrimp for a fun twist, or exclude the meat all together to make vegetarian.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add in other veggies when sautéing the onions and peppers. Mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, peas or spinach are all great additions.
- Bacon: A sprinkle of crispy bacon crumbs is an easy way to add more flavor to this dish. Easily cook the bacon in the oven while the pasta cooks on the stove.
- Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is a way to brighten up the sauce and enhance the lemon pepper flavor even more.
- Make lighter: Swap the heavy whipping cream with half and half or even whole milk like I do in this white sauce.
- Cheese: If you prefer a cheesy sauce similar to homemade alfredo, stir in 1/2-3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese while the sauce simmers.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Combine. In a large bowl combine chicken, lemon pepper, creole and basil in a bowl.
- Boil. Bring the water to a boil then add in the pasta and cook according to package directions and then drain.
- Sauté the green onions and the red bell peppers together until they are tender. Add in the chicken and garlic and stir together.
- Simmer. Add the cream and flour to the pan. Continue to stir until smooth and let simmer until the sauce is thickened. Add salt and pepper for extra flavor.
Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Thickening the sauce. The key to a thick and creamy sauce is to use heavy whipping cream and a teaspoon or two of flour. The full fat cream yields the best results and the flour is used to help thicken it up even more. The sauce will continue thickening as it cooks, so start with a teaspoon of flour and then add in a little more as needed.
- Rotisserie chicken. I’m all about simplifying recipes, so I love using rotisserie chicken in this dish. It’s super easy to shred and is one less step to worry about. Plus the chicken gets mixed with the lemon and creole seasonings, so it still has plenty of flavor.
- Freshly shaved cheese. This isn’t a necessity, but trust me, adding freshly shaved parmigiano cheese takes this dish to a whole new level. It tastes amazing paired with the creamy sauce and gets a little melty from the heat of the pasta. You won’t regret it!
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Cube 1 pound chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook in a skillet with 1 to 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
This is a small detail that makes a big difference. When cooking pasta, I always like to add about 1 Tablespoon of Kosher salt per pound of pasta to the water. It helps enhance the flavor even more.
I wouldn’t use milk, as the sauce will not properly thicken, but you could use half-and-half.
My best tip for helping your pasta dish stay creamy is to save some of the pasta cooking water and add just a small amount to reach desired creaminess. This is also great to add a splash when reheating as well.
This is often the case if you did not let your creamy pasta sauce simmer long enough and reduce to a thicker consistency. Don’t rush it and add more flour as needed so you are not left with a water-y sauce.
Love easy dinner ideas? Try this easy spaghetti recipe, recipe for marry me chicken or chicken alfredo lasagna recipe!
More Pasta Recipes
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Creamy Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper , plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning , or Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 pound farfalle pasta
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup green onion , sliced thin
- 1 red bell pepper , sliced thin
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 to 2 teaspoons flour or cornstarch , plus more if needed
- Salt , to taste
- Ground black pepper , to taste
For serving: Parmigiana or Fresh basil, if desired
Instructions
- In a bowl, stir together chicken, lemon pepper, creole, and dried basil.
- Boil pasta according to package directions and then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Sauté the green onions and bell peppers. Stir in the chicken. Once peppers are tender, add in the garlic and turn the stove to low.
- Pour in cream and sprinkle flour over the top. Stir until smooth and let simmer until the sauce begins to thicken. Add in another teaspoon of flour, if needed. Salt and pepper, to taste.
- Pour the chicken and sauce over cooked noodles and top with parmigiana.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Chicken, Dinner, Italian, Nut-Free, Pasta, Stovetop
This recipe was easy and yummy. I will be adding this to our monthly menu. Thank you for sharing.
I LOVE THIS!!!!!
Me too
Hi! Me and my family (9 people)
really enjoyed it! We made an extra batch and had no leftovers because it was so good! I think I just found the new chicken pasta recipe!!!
-Aly
Yay! I love to hear this! So glad it was such a hit with your family :)
So good! Love the ease to make! Love, love!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Shirley!
This is such a great meal for weeknights! It quickly became a favorite at my house!
This is so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this creamy chicken pasta recipe! Will surely make this again!
So easy & delicious!
What gorgeous recipes!! I am new to your site and simply adore it! I’m sure you have answered this question a multitude of times, but what dishes (cream colored with some antique scrollwork) are featured in this recipe? (Creamy Chicken Pasta)
Thanks for the awesome recipe. I just made these and they are so easy. My daughter ate like 4 and then asked if there were anymore. Then she wanted to eat mine as well. And asked if she could bring them to school for lunch. I love when I make something new and it’s a big hit. Thanks so much. I will have to try more of your recipes.
Your comment made my day Lisa! I’m so glad you and your daughter liked this recipe! :)
this looks like one of my favorite Macaroni Grill dishes — can’t wait to try it!
This is similar to a cajun dish I tried last week. It looks really good!!
Great recipe. I love the roasted chicken and pasta combination.