Print

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (30-Minute Recipe!) Recipe

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (30-Minute Recipe!) Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 28 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious 30-minute meal featuring tender seared chicken breasts tossed with al dente twisted pasta in a rich, velvety garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe is packed with savory flavors, a hint of Italian seasoning, and a touch of heat from optional red pepper flakes, garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (half of the total 1 tsp)

Pasta

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

Sauce

  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter (divided: 1 Tbsp for searing chicken, 2 Tbsp for sauce)
  • 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (remaining half)
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta & sear chicken: Boil the pasta in generously salted water until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest. While pasta cooks, pat the chicken dry and season with salt, black pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning. Heat 1 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken cubes. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  2. Make garlic-Parmesan sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining 2 Tbsp butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, cooking for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining Italian seasoning, then simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken it. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese gradually until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  3. Toss & serve: Return the cooked chicken along with its juices back to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss gently to coat everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add small splashes of the reserved pasta water to loosen it and help it cling nicely to the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor. Pre-grated cheese may not melt smoothly.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed; it helps the sauce stick to pasta better.
  • Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat to balance the richness.
  • This recipe works well with fusilli, penne, or rotini pasta because their shapes hold the sauce well.
  • You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for juicier meat, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
  • Make sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture is best to prevent mushiness in the final dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, 30-minute chicken pasta, easy garlic chicken pasta, creamy pasta recipes, weeknight dinner, garlic parmesan sauce

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-pasta-30-minute-recipe-recipe/