Name: Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs); 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional); 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish); 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

This Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta is the kind of hearty, satisfying meal I make when I want something rich, flavorful, and comforting. Juicy pan-seared chicken is coated in a silky garlic parmesan cream sauce, then tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a restaurant-quality dish I can easily whip up at home in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how this recipe brings together bold garlic flavor, tender chicken, and a creamy parmesan sauce in such a simple way. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests. The pasta soaks up every bit of the sauce, and I always find myself going back for seconds. Best of all, it’s incredibly customizable. Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Chicken breast or chicken thighs
Penne or fettuccine pasta
Olive oil
Butter
Fresh garlic (minced)
Heavy cream
Chicken broth
Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Salt and pepper
Italian seasoning (optional)
Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

I season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sear it in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden and cooked through. I remove it from the pan and let it rest before slicing.
In the same pan, I melt the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant—about 1 minute.
I pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine and letting it simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
I stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. I adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
I cook the pasta separately until al dente, then drain and add it directly into the sauce.
I return the sliced chicken to the pan, tossing everything together until coated in the creamy sauce.
I garnish with chopped parsley and more Parmesan before serving hot.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves about 4 people. It takes around 10 minutes to prep, 15–20 minutes to cook, and is ready in about 30 minutes total.

Variations

I sometimes add baby spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra texture and flavor.
For a lighter version, I use half-and-half or evaporated milk instead of heavy cream.
I swap the chicken for shrimp or keep it vegetarian by skipping the meat and adding more veggies.
I’ve also used gluten-free pasta or whole wheat noodles, and both work great.
A squeeze of lemon at the end adds a nice fresh contrast to the creamy sauce.

Storage/reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm it gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. The microwave works too, but I stir halfway through to keep it creamy. Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, I’ve used leftover rotisserie chicken before. I just skip the searing step and add it to the sauce at the end to heat through.

What’s the best pasta for this recipe?

I usually go with penne or fettuccine, but any pasta shape that holds sauce well—like rigatoni or bowties—works perfectly.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

It’s best fresh, but I’ve made it a few hours in advance and reheated gently with extra liquid to keep the sauce creamy.

Can I freeze this pasta?

I don’t usually freeze cream-based sauces, but I’ve had decent results freezing the sauce separately and cooking fresh pasta when ready to eat.

How do I make it extra garlicky?

I add more garlic cloves, or roast some garlic ahead of time and mash it into the sauce for a deeper flavor.

Conclusion

This Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta is everything I want in a cozy, comforting dinner. It’s creamy, garlicky, full of juicy chicken, and so easy to make. Whether I’m feeding the family or just treating myself, this dish always delivers restaurant-style flavor right from my own kitchen.