This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is rich, silky, and bursting with delicious tastes! Tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, tender, juicy chicken rests in a luscious garlic parmesan sauce. It’s comfort food at its finest creamy, cheesy, and very fulfilling. Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or a night’s dinner, this dish will wow!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Restaurant-Quality at Home: It’s exactly as creamy and tasty as your favourite Italian restaurant meal but created right in your kitchen.
✔ Quick & Easy is ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for hectic week evenings.
✔ Parmesan, mozzarella, and heavy cream create a rich, velvety texture in an ultra-creamy sauce.
✔ Versatile : You may vary the pasta variety or add veggies for a customized supper.
This dish is similar to Marry Me Chicken Pasta, which also features a creamy garlic sauce but with sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy kick.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this dreamy Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta:
For the Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced into rapid frying strips.
- Salt and black pepper improve the chicken’s flavour generally.
- The addition of garlic powder and onion powder gives the chicken spice complexity.
- Olive Oil: For golden perfection, sear the chicken.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic smells strongly and boldly.
- Butter gives the dish great richness.
For the Sauce
- Heavy Cream : The foundation of the deliciously creamy sauce.
- Parmesan cheese gives a nutty, salty, cheesy taste.
- Mozzarella Cheese : Gives extra richness and stretchiness to the sauce.
- Herbs combined for extra taste make Italian seasoning.
- Optional but gives some heat if you enjoy spice from crushed red pepper flakes.
For the Pasta
- Perfect to soak up all that creamy sauce is fettuccine or penne pasta.
- Helps the sauce loosen for the ideal consistency by reserving the pasta water.
- A brilliant, fresh garnish to counter the richness is fresh parsley.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
Making Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
First, Cook the Pasta
- Cook your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then set aside.
Second Step: Season and Grill the Chicken
- Pat dry the chicken strips and season them with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Warm olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat; then, sauté the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and well done. Take out from the skillet and leave aside.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
- Melt butter in the same skillet, then toss minced garlic. Sear for one to two minutes till aromatic. Then add the heavy cream in and stir constantly. Stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens, toss the Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
Step 4: Integrate Everything
- Stirring gradually, add the leftover pasta water to create a silky, smooth sauce. Reheat the chicken and cooked pasta in the skillet; toss everything together to coat in the creamy sauce. Simmer it for two to three minutes until everything is heated completely.
Step 5: Present and Enjoy
- Present hot, garnish with fresh parsley, and taste the best creamy garlic parmesan pasta!
Want to save time? You can use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken instead of fresh chicken.
Pro Advice on Creating the Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep it al dente to hold up well in the sauce.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan; pre-shredded cheese will not melt as evenly.
- Change the sauce consistency; add some conserved pasta water if the sauce turns too thick.
- Sear the Chicken Well: The extra taste for the meal comes from a golden chicken crust.
Serving Method
- Nothing tastes better than a slice of buttery Garlic Bread.
- With a side salad : A fresh Caesar or garden salad balances the richness.
- Add vegetables for taste; toss sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Make Ahead and Organization for Storage
Saving Leftovers
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to three days in an airtight container.
Freezing
- Although they freeze poorly, if you must, keep them in an airtight container for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat
- Restore the creamy texture and reheat it on the stove over low heat, adding a dash of cream or milk. You may also microwave it for 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
Frequent Questions
Could I use another kind of pasta?
Definitely! For this dish, fettuccine, penne, linguine, or even rigatoni all taste fantastic.
Suppose I run out of heavy cream.
You might replace it with half-and-half, but the sauce will not be as thick and flavorful. A blend of milk and cream cheese can also work.
Can I toss vegetables into this recipe?
Correct! Mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes would be delicious additions.
How might I lighten this dish?
Use light cream or half and half for a lower-calorie version, and cut the cheese somewhat.
Conclusion
An absolute must-try is this creamy, garlicky Parmesan chicken pasta! Every mouthful is brimming with taste, rich and luxurious. This recipe will have everyone returning for seconds, whether it’s a special meal for visitors or a nice evening.
😉 Enjoy! 🍽️
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into thin strips
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously. Add Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens.
- Add the reserved pasta water gradually, stirring to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.