Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A creamy, indulgent pasta dish featuring tender chicken in a rich garlic parmesan sauce. This restaurant-quality meal comes together in one pan, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pasta and Sauce:

• 1 lb penne or fettuccine pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/4 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Season and sear chicken. Season chicken strips with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
3. Build the garlic base. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over garlic and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
4. Create the creamy sauce. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Add heavy cream and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3-4 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.
5. Add cheese and combine. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Return chicken to skillet along with drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
6. Finish and serve. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with remaining parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

Tips for Success

Fresh parmesan makes a difference: Use freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-shredded for the smoothest, most flavorful sauce that melts beautifully.

Don’t overcook the chicken: Slice chicken evenly for uniform cooking and remove from heat as soon as it’s cooked through to prevent dryness.

Pasta water is key: The starchy pasta water helps bind the sauce to the pasta and creates the perfect creamy consistency.

Temperature control: Remove the skillet from heat before adding cheese to prevent the sauce from breaking or becoming grainy.

Recipe Variations

Vegetable Addition: Stir in steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted cherry tomatoes during the final combining step.

Protein Swap: Replace chicken with cooked shrimp, Italian sausage, or grilled chicken thighs for different flavor profiles.

Lighter Version: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce butter to 2 tablespoons while maintaining the rich flavor.

Herb Boost: Add fresh basil, oregano, or thyme along with the parsley for an aromatic herb blend.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container. The sauce may thicken when cold – add a splash of chicken broth or cream when reheating.

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the sauce from separating.

Nutritional Highlights

This protein-rich dish provides complete amino acids from chicken and calcium from parmesan cheese. While indulgent, it offers substantial nutrition with 35 grams of protein per serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this garlic parmesan chicken pasta with a crisp Caesar salad and warm garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food experience. A glass of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay complements the rich, creamy sauce perfectly.

For entertaining, prepare the components ahead and combine everything just before serving to ensure the pasta stays perfectly creamy and hot.