BEST CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN PASTA

Imagine twirling your fork around perfectly cooked pasta, each strand coated in a luscious, creamy sauce bursting with garlic and Parmesan, and studded with tender, juicy chicken. This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the answer to your weeknight dinner dreams, ready to impress with minimal effort. Get ready to make a restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen – I promise you’ll love it!

Let’s Gather Our Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pasta:

• 1 lb pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, or your favorite shape)
• Water for boiling, salted

For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Perfection

Preparing the Chicken:

1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece is nicely coated.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it’s cooked through and lightly browned, about 6-8 minutes. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Set the cooked chicken aside.

Cooking the Pasta:

1. While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
3. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water. This starchy water is liquid gold and will help the sauce cling to the pasta! Drain the pasta.

Making the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:

1. In the same skillet you used for the chicken (no need to clean it!), melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic! This is crucial for the flavor.
3. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is smooth.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, Parmesan cheese is already salty, so start with a little and adjust as needed.
6. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Bringing It All Together:

1. Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
2. If the sauce needs a little extra boost, add a splash more pasta water.
3. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Troubleshooting Tips for a Flawless Dish

Even the best recipes can sometimes throw you a curveball! Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

Sauce Too Thick?

No problem! Gradually add more of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. You can also use a splash of chicken broth if you’ve run out of pasta water.

Sauce Too Thin?

If your sauce is too thin, continue to simmer it over low heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water to the sauce, stirring until it thickens.

Chicken Dry?

To avoid dry chicken, don’t overcook it! Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces also helps it cook more quickly and evenly.

Garlic Burnt?

Burnt garlic is a flavor disaster! Keep a close eye on the garlic while it’s cooking and reduce the heat if necessary. If the garlic does burn, discard it and start over with fresh garlic.

Variations to Make It Your Own

This recipe is a fantastic base, but feel free to get creative and add your own personal touch!

Spice It Up:

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat. You can also use a dash of hot sauce.

Add Veggies:

Sauté some spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes with the garlic for extra flavor and nutrients. Roasted asparagus would also be delicious!

Change the Cheese:

Experiment with different cheeses! A blend of Parmesan and Asiago would be amazing. You could even add a little bit of cream cheese for extra creaminess.

Use Different Protein:

If you’re not a fan of chicken, you can easily substitute shrimp, sausage, or even tofu.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few ideas to make it even more special:

Side Dishes:

• A simple side salad with a vinaigrette dressing
• Garlic bread or crusty rolls for soaking up the delicious sauce
• Roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts

Wine Pairing:

A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio would pair perfectly with this dish.

Other Delicious Recipes to Explore

If you’re looking for more easy and delicious dinner ideas, be sure to check out these other recipes:

• Try out the Garlic Parmesan Potato Chicken! for another flavourful chicken dish.
• For a hearty and comforting casserole, try the Enchilada Chicken Casserole.
• On a barbecue day, the Ranch Garlic Chicken Skewers are ideal.
• If you’re in the mood for a creamy pasta dish without the chicken, give the Garlic Parmesan Pasta Yeem a try.
• Another fantastic pasta recipe is the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta! – a close cousin to this one!
• For a quick 30-minute meal, you can also try Parmesan Garlic Chicken Pasta.

Storing and Reheating Tips

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is even better the next day! Here’s how to store and reheat it:

Storing:

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating:

To reheat, microwave the pasta in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little liquid as needed.

So, there you have it! Your guide to making the most amazing Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. Don’t be intimidated – this recipe is easier than it looks, and the results are well worth it. Now go ahead and impress your family and friends (or just yourself!) with this incredibly delicious and satisfying meal. Happy cooking!

Isabella

BEST Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a restaurant-quality meal you can easily make at home. Tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta are coated in a luscious, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. It’s sure to become a weeknight favorite!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 650

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lb pasta fettuccine, spaghetti, or your favorite shape
• Water for boiling
• Salt for pasta water
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish optional

Equipment

• Large Pot
• medium bowl
• large skillet
• Colander
• measuring cups and spoons
• whisk
• tongs or spatula

Method

 

1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece is nicely coated.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it’s cooked through and lightly browned, about 6-8 minutes. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Set the cooked chicken aside.
3. While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
4. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
5. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water. This starchy water is liquid gold and will help the sauce cling to the pasta! Drain the pasta.
6. In the same skillet you used for the chicken (no need to clean it!), melt the butter over medium heat.
7. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic! This is crucial for the flavor.
8. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
9. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is smooth.
10. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, Parmesan cheese is already salty, so start with a little and adjust as needed.
11. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
12. Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
13. If the sauce needs a little extra boost, add a splash more pasta water.
14. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
15. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
Add Veggies: Sauté some spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes with the garlic for extra flavor and nutrients.
Change the Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses! A blend of Parmesan and Asiago would be amazing. You could even add a little bit of cream cheese for extra creaminess.
Use Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of chicken, you can easily substitute shrimp, sausage, or even tofu.
Storing: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, microwave the pasta in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little liquid as needed.