Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a rich, indulgent dish with tender chicken, a velvety Parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions!
Ingredients
Scale
- Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Pasta & Sauce:
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta – Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken – Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Sear the Chicken – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and let it rest before slicing.
- Make the Sauce – In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add Liquids – Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Incorporate Cheese – Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add red pepper flakes if using.
- Combine Everything – Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until well coated.
- Slice and Serve – Slice the chicken and place it over the pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Lighter Option: Use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with shrimp or salmon.
- Spicy Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Vegetable Addition: Stir in spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all ingredients are gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: pasta , dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy garlic parmesan pasta, Chicken pasta, Easy weeknight dinner, Comfort food, Italian pasta