Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

At the end of a long day, nothing beats the comfort of a creamy pasta dish that’s both rich and satisfying. This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta combines tender seared chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a velvety garlic Parmesan sauce for an easy yet indulgent weeknight meal you’ll want to make again and again.

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 lb (450 g) twisted pasta (fusilli), or penne/rotini
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated preferred)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. Step 2: Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken, keeping the juices in the pan.
3. Step 3: Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen browned bits. Stir in the heavy cream and remaining ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Let simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and velvety.
6. Step 6: Return the chicken and its juices to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water in small splashes until you reach the desired consistency.
7. Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce—avoid pre-shredded varieties that contain anti-caking agents.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk for a lighter sauce; thicken with a small cornstarch slurry if needed.
• Add vegetables such as fresh spinach, peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat; just allow extra cooking time.
• If the sauce thickens too much while resting, gently reheat with a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen it.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth and stirring frequently until the sauce loosens and the pasta is heated through. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain sauce texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor. They may require a few additional minutes cooking time per side to ensure they are fully cooked.

Can I make this dish with shrimp instead of chicken?

Yes, shrimp is a great alternative. Season peeled and deveined shrimp with the same spices, sear for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove before making the sauce. Add shrimp back in with the pasta at the end.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 74 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a luscious, restaurant-quality dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. Featuring tender, golden-seared chicken breast cubes and al dente fusilli pasta tossed in a velvety garlic Parmesan cream sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort meal perfect for busy weeknights. Made in one skillet with simple ingredients and freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth texture, this rich and flavorful dish is sure to become a fast family favorite.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course, Pasta
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American, Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

Pasta

• 1 lb (450 g) twisted pasta (fusilli), or penne/rotini

Sauce

• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fine salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish

• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Boil pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
2. Season & sear chicken. Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and ½ tsp Italian seasoning. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Add chicken in a single layer and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate, keeping juices.
3. Build garlic cream base. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 Tbsp butter to the skillet. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking 30–60 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn garlic.
4. Deglaze & simmer. Pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits from skillet bottom. Stir in heavy cream and remaining ½ tsp Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 2–3 minutes to slightly thicken.
5. Melt Parmesan. Reduce heat to low. Gradually sprinkle in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring gently until melted and sauce is velvety smooth.
6. Combine. Return chicken and accumulated juices to skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a splash at a time until sauce is glossy and clings to pasta.
7. Finish & serve. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Parmesan matters: Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother, creamier sauce; pre-shredded often causes graininess.
• Lighter swaps: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk and thicken sauce with 1–2 tsp cornstarch slurry if desired.
• Add-ins: Incorporate vegetables like spinach, peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms to boost nutrition and flavor.
• Pasta shape: Short, twisted pasta shapes like fusilli, rotini, or penne hold the creamy sauce best.
• Make-ahead: Cook pasta 1–2 minutes less than al dente if preparing ahead, cool separately, and reheat with a splash of extra cream or broth to loosen the sauce.
• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for 3–4 days. Reheat gently over low heat with added broth or milk to restore sauce consistency.

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, one-pan chicken pasta, quick chicken pasta recipe, easy dinner pasta, fusilli chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, creamy chicken pasta sauce