Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food: this Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta. Imagine tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked pasta enveloped in a rich, velvety garlic parmesan sauce. It’s the kind of restaurant-quality dish you dream about, but it’s surprisingly easy to whip up in your own kitchen in under 30 minutes. This recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights when you’re craving something special without the fuss. It’s decadent, satisfying, and guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
Why This Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe Works
This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a perfectly balanced, foolproof recipe designed for success. We use simple, high-quality ingredients to create layers of flavor. The secret is in the sauce—a luscious combination of garlic, cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese that clings to every piece of pasta and chicken. Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder for the sauce and chicken, which means minimal cleanup. You get maximum flavor with minimum effort, making it the perfect go-to for any night of the week.
The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Garlic Parmesan Sauce
The magic of this Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in creating that signature creamy texture and robust flavor.
- Chicken Breast: We use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
- Pasta: Fettuccine is a classic choice because its broad surface is perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce, but penne or rotini work wonderfully too.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable. It provides the aromatic, savory base that defines the dish.
- Heavy Cream: This is the key to an ultra-rich and creamy sauce that won’t break or become oily.
- Parmesan Cheese: Always use freshly grated Parmesan. It melts smoothly and delivers a nutty, salty flavor that pre-shredded varieties can’t match.
- Butter & Olive Oil: A combination of both gives you the best of both worlds—the flavor of butter and the higher smoke point of olive oil for searing the chicken.
- Chicken Broth: This adds depth to the sauce and helps to thin it to the perfect consistency.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning is all you need to enhance the flavors.
- Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end adds a touch of color and a fresh, peppery bite that cuts through the richness.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
This recipe comes together in just a few simple steps. Follow along to create a stunning pasta dish that tastes like it came from a high-end Italian restaurant.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water. This is a secret weapon for thickening your sauce later if needed. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
While the pasta is cooking, pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Season them generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 3: Create the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom—this is where the flavor is! Bring it to a simmer and let it reduce slightly for about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Let it warm through gently, then gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the glorious garlic parmesan sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Let it simmer for another minute for the flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Pro-Tips for the Best Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook it just until al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly when you combine it with the hot sauce.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. Grating your own from a block is a must for a smooth sauce.
- Use Room Temperature Cream: Bringing your heavy cream to room temperature before adding it to the pan helps prevent it from curdling.
- Reserve Pasta Water: That starchy water is liquid gold! It helps the sauce adhere to the pasta and is perfect for adjusting the consistency without watering it down.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. Feel free to get creative with these delicious variations!
- Add Veggies: Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or steamed broccoli are excellent additions. Stir them in when you return the chicken to the pan. For another great recipe, check out this Chicken Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little kick of heat. For a spicier pasta, check out this Calabrian Chili Pasta.
- Swap the Protein: This sauce is also incredible with shrimp, scallops, or even sliced Italian sausage.
What to Serve with Your Pasta
This Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce. For something more substantial, consider a side of Garlic Butter Green Beans or some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and bring back its creamy consistency. Microwaving can work in a pinch, but do it in short intervals, stirring in between to prevent the sauce from separating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This dish is best served fresh, as cream-based sauces can thicken and separate upon reheating. If you need to make it ahead, store the sauce and pasta separately and combine them when reheating gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth.
You can, but it will result in a thinner, less rich sauce. For the best creamy texture, heavy cream is highly recommended. If you use milk, you may want to create a small slurry with 1 tsp of cornstarch to help thicken it.
This recipe is very versatile! You can add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce when you add the chicken back in. Steamed broccoli or asparagus also make great additions.
To ensure a smooth sauce, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese from a block, not pre-shredded. Also, make sure to add the cheese over low heat and stir it in gradually until it’s fully melted before adding the pasta.
Fettuccine is a classic choice because its wide, flat shape holds the creamy sauce well. However, other shapes like penne, rotini, or linguine also work great. The most important thing is to cook it al dente.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
If you loved this dish, you’ll definitely want to try some of our other favorite pasta recipes! For another cheesy delight, check out our Taco Stuffed Shells. And for a steak lover’s dream, don’t miss this Garlic Butter Steak Pasta.
Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta (The Ultimate 30-Minute Meal)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, season chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce.
- Reduce heat to low and whisk in the heavy cream. Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss to combine. If needed, add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't be afraid to use the reserved pasta water. It's the key to thinning the sauce to the perfect consistency while helping it cling to the pasta.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We love hearing from you! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
