Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting dinner made with tender seasoned chicken, pasta, fresh garlic, butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. The sauce is rich and silky, while the garlic and Parmesan give every bite plenty of savory flavor. Best of all, this easy chicken pasta recipe can be on the table in about 30 minutes.

If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is a recipe worth keeping in your rotation. It uses simple ingredients, comes together quickly, and makes a satisfying family meal.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

There are plenty of reasons this creamy chicken pasta becomes a weeknight favorite:

Quick and easy: Dinner comes together in about 30 minutes.
Creamy and flavorful: Garlic, butter, cream, and Parmesan create a rich homemade sauce.
Protein-packed: Tender chicken makes the pasta filling and satisfying.
One-pan friendly: The chicken and creamy Parmesan sauce can be prepared in the same skillet.
Family-friendly: The mild garlic and cheesy sauce pair well with pasta and chicken.
Perfect for busy nights: It’s comforting enough for a weekend dinner but simple enough for a weeknight.

Similar garlic Parmesan chicken pasta recipes commonly use boneless chicken breast, pasta, garlic, Parmesan, cream or milk, butter, and chicken broth to build a creamy sauce.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Garlic Parmesan Pasta

12 ounces penne pasta or your favorite pasta
2 tablespoons butter
5–6 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Salt, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

For Serving

Extra grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley
Freshly cracked black pepper

Best Pasta for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

You can use almost any pasta shape for this recipe. Penne, rigatoni, fettuccine, linguine, rotini, and spaghetti all work well.

Short pasta shapes such as penne and rigatoni are especially good because their ridges and tubes hold onto the creamy Parmesan sauce. Long pasta such as fettuccine or linguine gives the dish a more classic creamy-pasta appearance.

For the best texture, cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

1. Season the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

If your chicken breasts are thick, carefully slice them horizontally or pound them to an even thickness. This helps them cook more evenly.

2. Cook the Chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown on the outside and cooked through in the center. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C).

Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.

3. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add your pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of pasta water.

The starchy pasta water can help loosen the sauce later if it becomes too thick.

4. Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium.

Add the butter and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring frequently.

Be careful not to burn the garlic. Burnt garlic can make the sauce taste bitter.

Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Add Italian seasoning and black pepper.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

5. Add the Parmesan

Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese while stirring.

Continue stirring until the cheese melts into the sauce and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

For the smoothest sauce, freshly grated Parmesan is preferable to pre-shredded cheese.

6. Combine the Pasta and Sauce

Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet.

Toss until every piece of pasta is coated in the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.

If the sauce is thicker than you prefer, add a small splash of the reserved pasta water and toss again.

7. Add the Chicken

Slice the rested chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces.

You can either mix the chicken directly into the pasta or arrange it over the top when serving.

8. Garnish and Serve

Finish the garlic Parmesan chicken pasta with chopped fresh parsley, freshly cracked black pepper, and additional Parmesan cheese.

Serve immediately while the sauce is creamy and warm.

Tips for the Creamiest Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Use freshly grated Parmesan

Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly into a sauce than many pre-shredded varieties.

Don’t boil the cream aggressively

A gentle simmer is enough. Excessive heat can cause a creamy cheese sauce to become grainy or separate.

Don’t overcook the garlic

Garlic only needs a short time in the butter. Once it becomes fragrant, move on to the next step.

Reserve pasta water

A little pasta water can help adjust the consistency of the sauce while also helping the sauce cling to the noodles.

Let the chicken rest

Allowing the chicken to rest for several minutes before slicing helps keep it juicy.

Easy Variations

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with Broccoli

Add steamed or roasted broccoli to the finished pasta for extra vegetables and color.

Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta

Stir a handful of baby spinach into the hot sauce near the end of cooking. Allow it to wilt before adding the pasta.

Mushroom Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Sauté sliced mushrooms in the skillet before making the sauce for an earthy variation.

Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Add crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic and butter for a little heat.

Bacon Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Cook chopped bacon until crisp, then use some of the rendered fat with the butter when preparing the sauce.

What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This creamy chicken pasta is filling on its own, but it pairs especially well with lighter sides.

Try serving it with:

Garlic bread
Homemade breadsticks
Caesar salad
Green salad
Roasted broccoli
Steamed asparagus
Sautéed spinach
Roasted vegetables

A crisp green salad can provide a fresh contrast to the rich Parmesan cream sauce.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well in this recipe and can be particularly juicy.

Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Can I Use Milk Instead of Heavy Cream?

Yes, although the sauce will be lighter and less rich.

If using milk, you may need to adjust the amount of Parmesan or use a small amount of flour or another thickening method to achieve your preferred consistency.

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?

This pasta is best served immediately because the Parmesan cream sauce thickens as it cools.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

When reheating, add a small splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth and gently warm the pasta. This helps loosen the sauce.

How Do I Store Leftover Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?

Allow leftovers to cool and place them in an airtight container.

Refrigerate promptly and use within a few days. When reheating, warm gently rather than using very high heat to help prevent the cream sauce from separating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is garlic Parmesan chicken pasta made of?

Garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is generally made with chicken, pasta, garlic, Parmesan cheese, butter, and a creamy sauce. Many versions also use chicken broth, Italian seasoning, parsley, or other vegetables.

Is garlic Parmesan chicken pasta spicy?

Traditional garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is not spicy. It has a savory garlic and Parmesan flavor. You can add red pepper flakes if you prefer some heat.

What type of chicken is best?

Boneless, skinless chicken breast is an easy choice because it cooks quickly and slices neatly. Boneless chicken thighs can also be used.

What Parmesan cheese should I use?

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a great choice because it melts into the sauce more smoothly and provides a stronger Parmesan flavor.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes. Rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken can be used to make this recipe even faster. Simply slice or shred the chicken and add it to the finished pasta to warm through.

Can I make garlic Parmesan chicken pasta without heavy cream?

Yes. Milk, half-and-half, or another creamy alternative can be used, although the final texture and richness will be different.

Recipe Card

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Keyword: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Chicken Pasta Recipe, Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients

Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Pasta & Sauce

12 oz penne pasta
2 tbsp butter
5–6 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley

Instructions

Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the chicken until golden and cooked through to 165°F (74°C). Remove and rest.
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Stir until creamy.
Add cooked pasta and toss until completely coated.
Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Slice the chicken and add it to the pasta or serve it on top.
Garnish with parsley, Parmesan, and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Freshly grated Parmesan gives the sauce the best texture.
Do not let the garlic brown too much.
Reserve pasta water before draining.
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil.
Adjust the sauce consistency with small amounts of pasta water.
For extra vegetables, add broccoli, spinach, asparagus, or mushrooms.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition values vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes used. For the most accurate nutritional information, calculate the recipe using the specific brands and quantities used in your kitchen.

Final Thoughts

This creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, fresh garlic, and Parmesan cheese in a rich homemade cream sauce. It’s simple enough for a busy weeknight but comforting enough for a family dinner or casual gathering.

If you’re craving a quick chicken dinner, creamy pasta recipe, easy weeknight meal, or restaurant-style garlic Parmesan pasta, this recipe is an easy one to add to your dinner rotation.

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