Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe delivers ultimate comfort food with tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luscious, flavorful sauce. It's a surprisingly easy dish that's guaranteed to impress family and friends, making it a perfect weeknight meal or special occasion treat.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large skillet
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Tongs or spatula
- Whisk
- Grater
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb pasta fettuccine or penne recommended
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ΒΌ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder and half of the Italian seasoning.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- While the chicken is cooking, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. This will thicken the sauce beautifully.
- Add the remaining Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For an extra creamy sauce, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese and be sure to reserve some pasta water to adjust the consistency. Don't overcook the chicken, and taste the sauce throughout the cooking process to adjust the seasoning to your liking. To elevate the flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine after cooking the garlic. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed.