Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe offers a rich and indulgent Italian-American classic made with tender chicken pieces simmered in a luscious garlic Parmesan cream sauce, tossed with al dente fettuccine or penne pasta. Perfect for an easy yet elegant weeknight dinner, it combines the bold flavors of garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning for a crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chicken broth
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta, cooked and drained
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3–4 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and stir to coat them thoroughly in the creamy sauce. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired for an added burst of flavor.
Notes
- For added depth of flavor, sauté mushrooms or spinach along with the garlic in step 2.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to create a lighter sauce, though it will be slightly thinner.
- This pasta dish pairs excellently with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.