Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
A rich and comforting pasta dish with tender chicken, a silky garlic-Parmesan cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta — ready in just 30 minutes. The ultimate hug-in-a-bowl for busy nights.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Skillet
- Cutting board & knife
- wooden spoon or tongs
- cheese grater
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup reserved pasta water
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes and season with salt and pepper. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add remaining butter and garlic. Sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low, then stir in Parmesan until smooth.
- Add pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. If too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnished with parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
✨ Variations: Add spinach, broccoli, or asparagus for veggies. Spice it up with red pepper flakes. Swap the chicken for shrimp, sausage, or keep it vegetarian.
💡 Tip: Always use freshly grated Parmesan and add it on low heat to avoid grainy sauce.
💡 Tip: Always use freshly grated Parmesan and add it on low heat to avoid grainy sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Amount per Serving
Calories
640
% Daily Value*
Fat
34
g
52
%
Saturated Fat
16
g
100
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
9
g
Cholesterol
160
mg
53
%
Sodium
520
mg
23
%
Potassium
420
mg
12
%
Carbohydrates
48
g
16
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
3
g
3
%
Protein
35
g
70
%
Vitamin A
750
IU
15
%
Vitamin C
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
280
mg
28
%
Iron
2.5
mg
14
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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