why make this recipe
The Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a dish that combines comforting flavors with an easy cooking process. It’s perfect for a relaxing dinner or impressing guests on a special occasion. The creamy sauce wraps around each piece of pasta, and the garlic and Parmesan add a delicious depth of flavor. Plus, this recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
how to make Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast — 2 large, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Twisted pasta (fusilli) — 1 lb (450 g), or penne/rotini
- Unsalted butter — 3 Tbsp, divided
- Fresh garlic, minced — 4–5 cloves
- Heavy cream — 1 ½ cups
- Chicken broth — ½ cup
- Grated Parmesan cheese — 1 cup (freshly grated preferred)
- Italian seasoning — 1 tsp, divided
- Red pepper flakes — ¼ tsp, optional
- Fine salt & black pepper — to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped — 2 Tbsp, for garnish
Directions:
- Boil pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente per package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water; drain.
- Season & sear chicken. Pat chicken dry. Season with salt, pepper, and ½ tsp Italian seasoning. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate (keep juices).
- Build garlic cream base. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 Tbsp butter. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze & simmer. Pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the skillet. Stir in heavy cream and remaining ½ tsp Italian seasoning. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Melt Parmesan. Reduce heat to low. Gradually sprinkle in Parmesan, stirring until fully melted and the sauce is velvety smooth.
- Combine. Return chicken (and juices) to the skillet. Add drained pasta. Toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is thick, stir in splashes of reserved pasta water until glossy and clinging to the pasta.
- Finish & serve. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
how to serve Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Serve this dish hot, right from the pan. It pairs wonderfully with a side salad or crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a touch of freshness, add extra parsley on top just before serving.
how to store Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce.
tips to make Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in some Italian seasoning and olive oil for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best taste and texture.
- If you enjoy a bit of heat, you can add more red pepper flakes to the sauce.
variation (if any)
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or broccoli to the dish for added color and nutrition. You can also swap the chicken for shrimp or diced beef if you prefer.
FAQs
Q: Can I use other types of pasta?
A: Yes! You can substitute with any short pasta like penne or rotini for a different shape and texture.
Q: Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
A: While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the sauce and chicken ahead of time. Combine it with freshly cooked pasta just before serving.
Q: Can I make this dish lighter?
A: To lighten the dish, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reducing the amount of butter. You can also use leaner cuts of chicken or incorporate more vegetables.
Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Cook pasta until al dente per package directions.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water; drain.
- 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.
- Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Transfer chicken to a plate, keeping the juices.
- Lower heat to medium and add remaining 2 Tbsp butter.
- Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the skillet.
- Stir in heavy cream and remaining ½ tsp Italian seasoning.
- Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually sprinkle in Parmesan, stirring until fully melted.
- Return chicken (and juices) to the skillet and add drained pasta.
- Toss until evenly coated, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is thick.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.