Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Prepare for a truly wonderful meal that is both comforting and incredibly simple to create. This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta brings together tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, indulgent sauce. It’s bursting with savory garlic and sharp Parmesan cheese. You can have this delightful dish ready in about 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for any busy weeknight. Get ready to enjoy a fantastic, easy-to-make dinner everyone will love!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This recipe is a guaranteed winner for many reasons, perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike:

• Quick & Convenient: Enjoy a satisfying meal on the table in under 30 minutes, freeing up your evenings.
• Irresistibly Flavorful: Indulge in a luxurious, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce that truly elevates the chicken and pasta.
• Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the pantry staples needed for this delightful Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta already on hand.
• Family Favorite: This comforting dish appeals to almost everyone, making it a reliable choice for family dinners.
• Easy to Customize: Adapt the recipe with various vegetables or proteins to suit your personal taste preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this fantastic Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. Each component plays a vital role in building the dish’s incredible flavor and texture.

• 2 tablespoons neutral oil (e.g., olive oil)
• 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 pound), patted dry and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt (½ for the chicken, ½ for the sauce)
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
• 8 ounces rotini pasta (measured dry), cooked according to package directions

Notes & Substitutions

You have flexibility with many of the ingredients in this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs offer a juicier texture. Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken works beautifully for an even quicker meal; just shred and add at the end.
• Garlic: While fresh garlic provides the best flavor, you can use ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder if fresh isn’t available.
• Stock: Vegetable broth is an excellent alternative to chicken stock, maintaining the savory base.
• Cream: For a lighter sauce, half-and-half or whole milk can be used, though the sauce may be less rich and slightly thinner.
• Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts smoothly and offers a superior, nutty flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
• Seasonings: A good quality Italian seasoning blend can easily replace the dried oregano and basil for convenience.
• Pasta: Feel free to use your favorite pasta shape like penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti; adjust cooking times as needed.

Equipment Needed

Making this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta requires only a few standard kitchen tools:

• Large skillet or Dutch oven: Essential for browning chicken and building the creamy sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly combining ingredients and preventing lumps in your sauce.
• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for safely cutting your chicken.
• Sharp knife: Key for efficiently preparing the chicken breasts and mincing garlic.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts for a perfectly balanced dish.
• Pasta pot: Needed to cook your pasta perfectly al dente before adding it to the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your incredible Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. This recipe is designed to be straightforward and rewarding for every cook.

First, cook your rotini pasta according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta well and set it aside, reserving about a half cup of the starchy pasta water for later if needed. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then cut them into uniform bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking and tenderness in every bite. Season the chicken all over with ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.

Next, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the hot skillet, then carefully place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Brown the chicken, cooking it until it is fully cooked through and golden on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

Reduce the heat to medium on your stovetop. Add the unsalted butter to the same skillet, letting it melt completely. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and cook it gently for just 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Now, whisk in the all-purpose flour, creating a roux. Cook the roux for another 30 seconds, stirring continuously. This step helps thicken your sauce beautifully.

Gradually whisk in the chicken stock and heavy cream, pouring slowly while continuously stirring to prevent lumps. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate any delicious brown bits, or “fond,” which add incredible depth of flavor to your sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then continue stirring until the sauce begins to thicken, which should take a few minutes.

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it is fully melted and smoothly incorporated into the sauce. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, and the red pepper flakes if you are using them for a little extra kick. Finally, return the cooked pasta and the browned chicken back to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly until the chicken and pasta are completely coated in the creamy sauce. Taste the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta and adjust the seasoning with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt and more pepper if desired. Serve this comforting dish immediately and enjoy every rich, satisfying bite.

Pro Tips for Success

Achieving the best results with your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is easy with these simple tips:

• Mind Your Pasta: Cook your pasta just until al dente, meaning it’s firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy when tossed with the hot sauce. Learning the science behind cooking pasta al dente can elevate your culinary skills.
• Embrace the Fond: Do not discard the brown bits left in the pan after cooking the chicken. These are packed with flavor; scrape them up as you whisk in the liquids to enrich your sauce.
• Fresh Parmesan Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty, whereas fresh Parmesan melts smoothly and tastes superior. Discover more about why freshly grated cheese is superior for your culinary creations.
• Adjust Sauce Consistency: If your sauce becomes too thick, simply whisk in a splash of reserved pasta water, chicken stock, or heavy cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Season to Taste: Always taste your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta just before serving. Adjust the salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to perfectly suit your palate.

Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations

This versatile Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is fantastic on its own, but also pairs wonderfully with various sides and can be easily adapted.

Serving Suggestions

• Crusty Garlic Bread: A warm, crusty loaf of garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce.
• Fresh Green Salad: Balance the richness of the pasta with a light, crisp green salad tossed in a simple vinaigrette.
• Steamed Vegetables: Serve alongside steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans for added nutrition and color.

Storage Tips

• Airtight Container: Store any leftover Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
• Refrigeration: It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, making it perfect for meal prepping.
• Gentle Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave.
• Restore Creaminess: To revive the sauce’s creaminess, add a splash of milk, chicken stock, or cream when reheating.

Variations

• Add Vegetables: Stir in fresh spinach at the end until wilted, or sauté mushrooms or peas with the garlic for extra nutrients and flavor.
• Spice Level: For those who love heat, feel free to increase the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives just before serving for a burst of color and fresh aroma.
• Protein Swap: Replace chicken with cooked shrimp for a seafood twist, or use sliced Italian sausage for a heartier option.
• Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheeses, like a mix of mozzarella and Asiago, to create a unique flavor profile for your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.

Nutritional Information

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta provides a satisfying meal. Please note that these are approximate values and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

This dish is a good source of protein and carbohydrates, offering sustained energy. Individuals watching their sodium or fat intake may wish to adjust ingredient amounts or portion sizes.

FAQs

Here are answers to common questions about making Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta:

Conclusion

You now have all the tools and knowledge to create a truly delicious and incredibly easy Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. This dish proves that amazing flavor does not require hours in the kitchen. Its rich, garlicky, and cheesy sauce combined with tender chicken and pasta makes it a perfect weeknight meal or a comforting weekend treat. Don’t hesitate to make this fantastic Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta a regular in your rotation! We hope you love it as much as we do. Enjoy your meal and please share your experience!

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken, a creamy garlic parmesan sauce, and rotini pasta. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Calories 750 kcal

Equipment

• large skillet
• whisk

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil any neutral tasting oil
• 2 large chicken breasts chicken about 1 pound, patted dry and cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 for the chicken 1/2 for the sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• 8 ounces rotini pasta measured dry, cooked

Instructions

 

Instructions

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the seasoned chicken in oil until fully cooked, then set it aside.
• Reduce heat to medium, melt butter, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Whisk in flour for 30 seconds to create a roux, then slowly whisk in chicken stock and heavy cream, scraping the pan. Simmer and stir until the sauce thickens.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if desired.
• Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the pan, toss to combine, and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

Remember to scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate the flavorful fond, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.