
Creamy Chicken & Castelvetrano Olive Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb fettuccine or pasta of choice
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 lb chicken breast
cut into bite sized pieces
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 8 oz jar pitted italian castelvetrano olives
drained & roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
minced
- 1 shallot
chopped
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Zest & juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
Directions
- 1
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain and do not rinse!
- 2
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and stir until golden brown. Set aside.
- 3
In the same pan, heat another tablespoon of olive oil and add the chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Stir until the chicken is cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.
- 4
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and butter to the pan. Once the butter is almost melted, add the shallot and garlic. Stir until fragrant, about 1 minute, then add the olives. Season with salt, pepper and chili flakes and stir for another 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken, pasta, parsley, lemon juice and zest, and parmesan cheese. Toss to combine, slowly adding pasta water 1-2 tablespoons at a time to help form a glossy sauce. You won’t need the full 1/2 cup, just stop once the pasta and sauce has reached your desired consistency.
- 5
To serve, top with the toasted breadcrumbs, some more fresh parsley and freshly shaved parmesan cheese. Makes 4 servings.

Creamy Chicken & Castelvetrano Olive Pasta
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About this Recipe
Looking for a pasta dish that feels elegant enough for a special occasion yet is quick enough for any weeknight? This Creamy Chicken & Castelvetrano Olive Pasta is precisely that, offering a delightful culinary escape with every forkful.
What makes this pasta truly special is the star ingredient: Castelvetrano olives. Known for their mild, buttery flavor and vibrant green hue, these Italian gems transform a simple chicken pasta into something truly memorable. The dish expertly balances rich, creamy textures with bright, briny notes, ensuring a satisfying and exciting eating experience.
Prepare to indulge in tender, bite-sized chicken pieces perfectly complemented by your pasta of choice, all enveloped in a luxurious, savory sauce. The Castelvetrano olives deliver a gentle pop of briny sweetness, while fresh parsley and lemon zest provide a vibrant counterpoint, cutting through the richness beautifully. A subtle warmth from red chili flakes adds just the right amount of intrigue, making this a balanced and comforting meal that still feels sophisticated.
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. While fettuccine is suggested, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape like penne, rigatoni, or even spaghetti. For a vegetarian twist, you could omit the chicken and boost the olive quantity or add some roasted cherry tomatoes. If Castelvetrano olives are hard to find, good quality green olives, though different in flavor profile, could be used in a pinch, but the unique buttery taste of the Castelvetranos truly shines here.
Perfect for a springtime dinner party or a comforting, filling weeknight meal, this pasta dish is sure to impress. Serve it as a stand-alone main course, perhaps with a simple green salad to complete the meal.







