Description
Pasta Carrabba is a creamy, savory dish featuring tender marinated chicken breasts served over fresh fettuccine, tossed with a luscious parmesan cream sauce enriched with sautéed mushrooms, shallots, and peas. This delightful Italian-American recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it an ideal meal for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves (or 4 tsp dried)
- Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Sauce and Vegetables
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 medium shallots, peeled and finely chopped
- 8 oz fresh sliced mushrooms
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup frozen English peas
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 1 (9 oz) package fresh fettuccine
- ½ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Marinate and Cook Chicken: Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, and basil in a bowl. Pour the marinade over chicken breasts and marinate overnight in the refrigerator using a ziplock bag. When ready, either grill the chicken breasts or bake them in a preheated 350ºF oven for 30 minutes until cooked through. Set aside.
- Sauté Shallots and Mushrooms: Peel and finely chop the shallots. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the shallots and sliced mushrooms until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy whipping cream, season with salt and pepper to taste, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer until it slightly thickens to a consistency just enough to coat a spoon.
- Add Peas and Parmesan: Stir in the frozen peas and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2 minutes to combine the flavors well and heat the peas through.
- Cook Pasta and Combine: Cook the fresh fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente, drain well, and shake out excess water. Thinly slice the cooked chicken breasts and add to the pasta. Gently toss the pasta, chicken, and sauce together along with additional Parmesan cheese. Serve the dish immediately while hot.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the depth of flavor and tenderizes the meat.
- You can substitute fresh peas for frozen if available for a sweeter taste.
- Grilling the chicken adds a smoky flavor, but baking is a great alternative if you prefer.
- Use fresh fettuccine for the best texture, but dried can be used if necessary—adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Adjust salt and pepper gradually to taste, especially since Parmesan cheese adds saltiness to the sauce.
