July 3, 2026 · 10 min

Creamy Chicken and Prosciutto Pasta with Peas and Parmesan

Dinner10 min1473 cal / serving

This creamy pasta dish brings together tender chicken, crispy prosciutto and sweet peas in a luscious Parmesan sauce. It’s a satisfying meal that feels special enough for a dinner party but is easy enough for a weeknight.

The combination of textures-from the al dente pasta to the crunchy prosciutto-makes every bite interesting. A touch of lemon zest and chili flakes brightens the dish, while freshly grated Parmesan adds a nutty finish.


Recipe details

Dinner10 min1473 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories1473 kcalProtein55.2 gFat114.5 gCarbs55.6 gSugar8.9 gFiber3.5 gSodium868 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: noLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: containsMilk / dairy: containsEgg: containsFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: not detectedSesame: not detectedMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Fry Seasoning0.5 tablespoon Fry SeasoningView ingredient guide
Peas4 ounce PeasView ingredient guide
Cream Cheese2 tablespoon Cream CheeseView ingredient guide
Cream Sauce Base4 ounce Cream Sauce BaseView ingredient guide
Lemon1 unit LemonView ingredient guide
Penne Pastaounce Penne PastaView ingredient guide
Garlic1 clove GarlicView ingredient guide
Parmesan Cheese Block1 unit Parmesan Cheese BlockView ingredient guide
Chicken Cutlets12 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guide
Prosciutto2 ounce ProsciuttoView ingredient guide
Chili Flakes1 teaspoon Chili FlakesView ingredient guide
Parsley0.25 ounce ParsleyView ingredient guide
Olive Oil1 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guide
Butter2 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guide
Saltteaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guide
Black Pepperteaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Pick parsley leaves from stems; roughly chop leaves. Zest and quarter lemon.
  2. Once water is boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
  3. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add prosciutto slices in a single layer; sear until browned and crispy, 2-3 minutes per side. If prosciutto starts to crisp too quickly, reduce heat to medium. Turn off heat; transfer prosciutto to a paper-towel-lined plate. Reserve oil in pan.
  4. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season all over with half the Fry Seasoning, salt and pepper. Heat pan with reserved oil over medium-high heat. Add an additional drizzle of oil if pan seems dry. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side. Turn off heat; transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest. Wipe out pan.
  5. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add cream sauce base, cream cheese, a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until combined, 2-3 minutes more. Add drained penne and peas. Cook, stirring, until peas are warmed through and sauce has thickened slightly, 1-2 minutes. If needed, stir in reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce. Stir in half the parsley, a big squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of chili flakes if desired.
  6. Slice chicken crosswise. Divide pasta between bowls. Top with chicken. Crumble prosciutto over top. Grate Parmesan over pasta. Sprinkle with lemon zest, remaining parsley and a pinch of chili flakes to taste. Serve with any remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.

For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-shredded.

Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level.

FAQ

Can I use regular pasta instead of gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute with any pasta you like. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

This dish is best served fresh. However, you can prep ingredients in advance and cook just before serving.

What can I use instead of prosciutto?

You can substitute prosciutto with bacon or pancetta for a similar salty, crispy element.

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