This creamy garlic parmesan pasta with chicken recipe sears juicy chicken breast, then tosses pasta in a rich, garlicky parmesan cream sauce made in the very same skillet. This easy 30-minute dinner has become one of the most-saved recipes online for delivering serious comfort food flavor on an ordinary weeknight.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Category: Main dish
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken
- This creamy garlic parmesan pasta with chicken recipe uses one skillet from start to finish.
- The sauce comes together from the same pan used to sear the chicken, so no flavor is wasted.
- Rich, garlicky, and comforting without needing a long ingredient list.
- A genuinely reliable dinner that even picky eaters ask for again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 5 lbs chicken breast, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear in olive oil until golden and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes per side. Remove and slice.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the garlic, cooking until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth and heavy cream, simmering for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Whisk in the parmesan until melted and smooth.
- Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce.
- Top with the sliced chicken and fresh parsley.
Tips for the Best Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken
- Slice the chicken evenly for this creamy garlic parmesan pasta with chicken recipe so it sears at the same rate.
- Use freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-shredded for the smoothest sauce.
- Save a splash of pasta water in case the sauce needs loosening before tossing with the noodles.
- Simmer the sauce gently — boiling cream too hard can cause it to separate.
Variations to Try
- Add sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- Swap chicken for shrimp for a quick seafood variation.
How to Store It
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pasta ahead of time?
It’s best served fresh, since cream sauces can separate when reheated, though leftovers still taste good reheated gently over low heat.
What pasta shape works best?
Penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni all hold the creamy sauce well, though any pasta shape you have on hand will work.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work well and tend to stay extra juicy when seared.
How do I keep the cream sauce from separating?
Simmer the sauce gently rather than at a hard boil, and add the parmesan gradually while whisking to help it melt in smoothly.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Season chicken and sear in olive oil until golden, about 6 to 7 minutes per side. Slice.
- Step 2: Melt butter and cook garlic until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add broth and cream, simmering 3 to 4 minutes.
- Tip: Simmer gently, not at a hard boil, to avoid separating the sauce.
- Step 4: Whisk in parmesan until smooth.
- Step 5: Toss cooked pasta in the sauce.
- Step 6: Top with sliced chicken and parsley.