Description
Creamy Cacio e Pepe Chicken is a rich and comforting Italian-inspired dish that combines succulent chicken with a creamy sauce made from cheese and black pepper. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup freshly chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Optional: 8 ounces of pasta (such as spaghetti or bucatini) cooked al dente
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping any brown bits off the bottom of the skillet for added flavor. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in Cream: Add the heavy cream to the skillet and stir well to combine. Allow it to simmer for another 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate Cheese: Gradually whisk in the Pecorino Romano cheese and the freshly cracked black pepper. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Return Chicken: Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet, coating them in the beautiful creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Optional Pasta: If you’re including pasta, add the freshly cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat well in the sauce.
- Garnish: Plate the chicken and pasta, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and add additional cheese and pepper if desired.
Notes
- Use high-quality, freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese for the best flavor.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper to your preference.
- Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra aroma.
- For a variation, sauté mushrooms with garlic or add fresh spinach in the final stages.
- Lemon zest can be added to the sauce for a brighter flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- The cooked chicken and sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: N/A