Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta proves that restaurant-quality comfort food doesn’t require hours of preparation. In just 30 minutes, you’ll enjoy tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a velvety garlic parmesan sauce that rivals your favorite Italian restaurant.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (divided use)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb twisted pasta (fusilli, rotini, or penne)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Turkey, shrimp, or plant-based chicken instead of chicken breast; zucchini noodles for low-carb; Pecorino Romano or Asiago instead of Parmesan
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Pat chicken dry, season with salt, pepper, and half Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tbsp butter in skillet, sear chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove and set aside.
- In same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze with chicken broth, then stir in heavy cream and remaining Italian seasoning. Simmer 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, whisk in Parmesan gradually until smooth. Thin with pasta water as needed.
- Return chicken and pasta to skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Add more pasta water if needed.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Always reduce heat before adding Parmesan to prevent clumping. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency to your liking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, 30 minute pasta, comfort food recipe, easy weeknight dinner, italian pasta dish