Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
By Emma Cook
This garlic parmesan chicken pasta is creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold flavors. Made in just 30 minutes, it's the perfect one-pan meal for a quick, delicious, and comforting dinner
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 650 kcal
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta or pasta of choice
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup pasta water reserved
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Season & Sear the Chicken – Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce – In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Melt the Parmesan – Slowly add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
Cook the Pasta – While the sauce simmers, cook fettuccine pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
Combine Everything – Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken back into the sauce. Stir in reserved pasta water to reach the perfect creamy consistency.
Final Touches & Serve – Garnish with fresh parsley, extra parmesan, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes & Tips
- For an extra creamy sauce, add cream cheese or a little more heavy cream.
- Spice it up! Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a kick.
- Pasta water is key! It helps bind the sauce to the pasta and creates the perfect consistency.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat on the stove over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore creaminess.
- Microwave in short bursts (30 seconds at a time), stirring between intervals.
- Not freezer-friendly – The cream-based sauce may separate when thawed.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approximate)
- Calories: ~650 kcal
- Protein: ~40g
- Carbohydrates: ~50g
- Fat: ~35g
- Saturated Fat: ~18g
- Sodium: ~700mg
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Keyword garlic parmesan chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, one-pot pasta recipe, easy chicken pasta, parmesan cream sauce