Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
A delicious and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, rich flavors, and a velvety garlic parmesan sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 lb Twisted pasta (fusilli) or penne/rotini (about 450 g)
- 3 Tbsp Unsalted butter, divided
- 4-5 cloves Fresh garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated preferred
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
- 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes, optional
- to taste Fine salt & black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente per package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water; drain.
Seasoning & Searing Chicken
- Pat chicken dry. Season with salt, pepper, and ½ tsp Italian seasoning.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate (keep juices).
Building Garlic Cream Base
- Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 Tbsp butter. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
Deglazing & Simmering
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and remaining ½ tsp Italian seasoning. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Melting Parmesan
- Reduce heat to low. Gradually sprinkle in Parmesan, stirring until fully melted and sauce is velvety smooth.
Combining
- Return chicken (and juices) to the skillet. Add drained pasta. Toss until evenly coated. If sauce is thick, stir in splashes of reserved pasta water until glossy and clinging to the pasta.
Finishing & Serving
- Taste and adjust salt/pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Serve warm with a simple green salad or garlic bread. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce.