Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta – Easy 30-Minute Dinner Recipe with Juicy Chicken and Rich Parmesan Sauce
This Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate 30-minute dinner recipe—tender chicken, garlic, and parmesan cream sauce tossed with pasta for a rich and comforting family meal. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or cozy date nights, this creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta is protein-packed, versatile, and guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 16 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
- Cook chicken: Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear in olive oil until golden, about 6–7 minutes per side. Slice into strips.
- Make sauce: In the same pan, melt butter, sauté garlic until fragrant, then pour in cream. Simmer 3–4 minutes. Stir in parmesan until smooth.
- Combine: Toss in pasta and chicken. Add pasta water gradually until sauce clings to pasta perfectly.
- Garnish & serve: Sprinkle parsley and extra parmesan before serving.
Notes
Secret Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
1. Sear the chicken for deeper flavor:Sear the chicken breasts until golden to build a deeper, richer base for your creamy chicken garlic parmesan pasta. This caramelization enhances the juicy chicken flavor and adds a savory depth that blends perfectly with the garlic cream sauce and parmesan. 2. Use fresh garlic for maximum aroma:
Freshly minced garlic releases stronger, richer oils than jarred versions, making your garlic parmesan sauce more aromatic and flavorful. It creates that restaurant-level creamy garlic pasta taste that upgrades this easy 30-minute dinner recipe instantly. 3. Reserve pasta water to perfect the sauce:
Add a splash of pasta water when tossing the noodles into the parmesan cream sauce. The starch helps emulsify the mixture, giving you a silky, clingy garlic parmesan sauce that coats every strand of pasta beautifully. 4. Shred your own parmesan for the best melt:
Freshly shredded parmesan melts smoother and creamier than pre-grated cheese, giving your rich parmesan sauce its signature velvety texture. It also boosts the savory bite that makes this creamy chicken pasta so comforting. 5. Don’t overcook the pasta:
Cook the pasta al dente so it holds up well when mixed with the creamy garlic sauce. Overcooked noodles become mushy and won’t absorb the flavor as well—especially important in a creamy chicken dinner recipe like this. 6. Toss the pasta in the sauce, not the other way around:
Add the pasta into the pan of garlic parmesan sauce to help it soak in the flavors evenly. This technique helps the creamy sauce cling better and delivers that perfect, rich restaurant-style consistency. 7. Finish with fresh parsley or basil:
Fresh herbs brighten the richness of the garlic parmesan pasta and balance the creamy chicken dish with a pop of color and freshness. It’s a simple upgrade that elevates the entire plate.