Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
A rich, velvety pasta dish with tender chicken, creamy garlic sauce, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 lb Twisted pasta (fusilli, or penne/rotini works perfectly)
- 3 Tbsp Unsalted butter for richness
- 4-5 cloves Fresh garlic (minced) to unleash incredible flavor
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream for a velvety sauce that envelops the pasta
- 0.5 cup Chicken broth to deglaze the pan and bring all the flavors together
- 1 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated melts best
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning divided use—half for chicken
- 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes optional, for a little kick
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp Fresh parsley chopped, for a pop of color and freshness
Instructions
Cook Pasta & Sear Chicken
- Begin by boiling the pasta in a large pot of generously salted water. Cook until al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Reserve around 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken dry and season it with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning.
- In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken cubes and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Make Garlic-Parmesan Sauce
- Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet.
- Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining Italian seasoning, and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low, and gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
Toss & Serve
- Return the chicken along with its juices back to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss gently to coat.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add splashes of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Adjust the salt and pepper to taste, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated varieties. You can use precooked rotisserie chicken for quicker prep, and feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.