Silky Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe For Tonight

Crafting this mouthwatering garlic parmesan chicken pasta promises an unforgettable culinary adventure that will make your taste buds dance.

Comfort meets elegance in a dish that blends rich, velvety sauce with tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles.

Weeknight dinners rarely feel this luxurious without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-quality meal in under thirty minutes.

The secret lies in layering flavors through perfectly seasoned chicken and a silky parmesan sauce that clings beautifully to each pasta strand.

Creamy, indulgent, and surprisingly simple, this recipe will become your new go-to meal when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

You’ll impress everyone at the table with this seemingly sophisticated yet incredibly approachable pasta creation.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Made Rich

• Perfect weeknight dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy home cooks craving delicious comfort food.
• Simple recipe allows flexible ingredient swaps like using different proteins or adding vegetables to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Rich, creamy sauce with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta creates a universally appealing meal that satisfies everyone from kids to adults.
• Minimal cleanup required since entire recipe prepares in a single skillet, reducing dishwashing time and kitchen mess while maximizing convenience.

What Goes Into Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Pasta, Pasta Water: Pasta creates the base of the dish, starchy pasta water helps achieve perfect sauce consistency.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herbal garnish that adds color and fresh flavor.

• Chicken: Lean protein that anchors the main dish, best when cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.

• Garlic Powder, Paprika, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Harmonious blend of spices that enhance chicken's natural flavor.

• Butter, Flour, Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Essential for creating rich, silky sauce base.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides deep, nutty flavor and helps thicken sauce.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds subtle flavor during chicken cooking.

• Lemon Wedges: Provides bright, fresh accent to cut through creamy sauce.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water following package directions. When perfectly tender, scoop out one cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Sauce Base

In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook until aromatic. Sprinkle flour and stir continuously for one minute to develop a smooth roux.

Step 4: Build Creamy Sauce

Slowly whisk in chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Pour heavy cream and blend thoroughly. Simmer sauce gently until it thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Protein

Stir Parmesan cheese into sauce until melted and silky. Return chicken to skillet, coating completely. Allow mixture to warm for two additional minutes.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

Toss pasta into sauce, ensuring complete coverage. If sauce feels too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until reaching desired consistency.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Optional: Include lemon wedges for extra brightness.

Tips for Creamy Sauce and Tender Chicken

• Pasta Water Magic: Save a cup of starchy pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to noodles and prevents dryness.
• Chicken Seasoning Boost: Use freshly ground black pepper and high-quality spices to elevate the chicken's flavor profile and create deeper, more complex taste notes.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for maximum flavor and melt it slowly to prevent graininess, ensuring a luxuriously creamy sauce texture.
• Low and Slow Simmer: Maintain a gentle heat when creating the sauce to prevent separation and achieve a consistently smooth, velvety consistency without burning.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for those with dietary restrictions.

Store Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Like a Pro

• Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir gently and frequently to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce consistency.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent moisture loss. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• This creamy pasta doesn't freeze well due to potential sauce separation and texture changes when thawed.

Great Pairings for Garlic Parmesan Pasta

• Chardonnay's buttery notes perfectly match the creamy parmesan sauce, creating a harmonious flavor profile that elevates the entire dish's richness.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the pasta's richness, providing a refreshing contrast and balancing the creamy chicken pasta.
• Serve roasted asparagus or brussels sprouts with garlic and olive oil, which will add a crisp texture and earthy undertones that enhance the chicken pasta's complex flavors.
• Serve warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious parmesan sauce, offering an additional layer of texture and helping diners enjoy every last drop of the creamy sauce.

Creative Pasta Variations for This Dish

• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, low-carb alternative that maintains the creamy sauce's rich flavor.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Option: Swap heavy cream and Parmesan cheese with coconut cream and nutritional yeast to create a lactose-free version that's equally creamy and satisfying.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch instead of regular flour for the roux, and choose gluten-free pasta to make the dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with roasted chickpeas or plant-based chicken alternatives like tofu or seitan, seasoned with the same spices for a meat-free protein option.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic parmesan chicken pasta brings Italian comfort right to dinner tables with rich, silky sauce coating tender pasta and juicy chicken. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, creating a restaurant-quality meal you can easily craft in your own kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:

• 12 oz (340g) penne pasta or pasta of choice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups (150g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Extract and preserve one cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining completely.
2. Craft a flavor-packed seasoning blend by combining garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the aromatic mixture.
3. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully introduce seasoned chicken, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior and cook thoroughly, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer protein to a temporary holding plate.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, releasing its rich aromatics. Dust flour over the butter and stir continuously, creating a smooth roux.
5. Slowly incorporate chicken broth, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Stream in heavy cream, creating a luxurious base. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop depth.
6. Integrate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce achieves a silky consistency. Reintroduce cooked chicken, coating each piece generously with the creamy sauce.
7. Fold pasta into the skillet, ensuring every strand becomes enrobed in the decadent sauce. Adjust consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and optional lemon wedges, offering a bright, fresh contrast to the rich, creamy sauce.

Notes

• Ensure pasta is perfectly al dente by testing it a minute before package instructions suggest, preventing mushy texture.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer, more authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
• Customize protein by substituting chicken with shrimp, tofu, or plant-based chicken for diverse dietary needs.
• Control sauce thickness strategically by gradually adding reserved pasta water, allowing you to achieve desired creamy consistency without compromising flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 748
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 670mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 22g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 43g
• Cholesterol: 150mg