Description
This Creamy Chicken and Noodles recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken tenderloins cooked in a rich garlic and herb cream sauce, combined with bowtie pasta and sweet green peas. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s creamy, cheesy, and satisfying with a homemade touch from Italian dressing mix and fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1 Tbsp garlic and herb seasoning
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 (0.7-oz) packet Italian Dressing Mix
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup frozen green peas
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, cut the chicken tenderloins into bite-sized pieces and season them with garlic and herb seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until each side is browned and the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
- Make the Sauce: Add butter to the skillet with the cooked chicken and allow it to melt. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the Italian dressing mix and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Cook the sauce over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until it thickens.
- Finish the Dish: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and frozen green peas into the sauce, simmering until the cheese has melted and peas are heated through. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less thick and creamy.
- You can swap bowtie pasta for any pasta shape like penne or rotini.
- Adding fresh herbs such as thyme or basil can enhance the flavor profile.
- Make sure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF for safety.
- Frozen peas can be substituted with fresh green peas or other vegetables like spinach or broccoli florets for variation.
