Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where weeknight dinners get simple, creamy upgrades without the fuss. If you’re tired of bland pasta or complicated sauces, this Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta delivers tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce ready in under 30 minutes.

Perfect for busy evenings or family favorites, it’s comfort food made effortless. With years of pasta perfection, I’ve crafted this one-pan recipe for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup. Here’s everything you need: ingredients, quick steps, variations, and tips.

Why This Recipe Works

• One-pan method builds flavor layers while keeping cleanup simple
• Garlic and Parmesan create restaurant-quality sauce with pantry staples
• Chicken cooks right in the sauce for juicy tenderness
• Ready in 25-30 minutes from start to finish
• Uses basic ingredients always on hand
• Easily scalable for 2 or family of 6

Ingredients & Prep

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated best)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
• Optional: red pepper flakes for heat

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until golden and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
2. In same skillet, add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Add uncooked pasta, pressing down to submerge.
4. Bring to simmer, cover, and cook 10-12 minutes until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until sauce thickens (2-3 minutes).
6. Return chicken to skillet, toss to coat. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Flavor Variations

• Add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach for Mediterranean flair.
• Swap chicken for shrimp or Italian sausage.
• Make it carbonara-style with bacon and egg yolk.

Storage Tips

Store in airtight containers in fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with splash of milk or cream to restore sauce consistency.

FAQs

• Can I use gluten-free pasta? Yes, adjust cooking time as needed.
• What if I don’t have heavy cream? Half-and-half, milk + cornstarch slurry, or cream cheese work.
• Can I bake it? Yes, transfer to casserole dish, top with extra cheese, bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.

Conclusion

Whip up creamy, garlicky Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta a 30-minute weeknight winner that tastes like weekend indulgence. Comfort food made simple. For more quick pasta recipes, visit dishfoody.com and try our Crispy Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges.

Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Print Recipe

Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta made in one pan with tender seared chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce. Cozy comfort food perfect for busy weeknights.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner, Pasta
• Method: Stovetop, One-Pan
• Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 8 oz uncooked short pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1 cup milk or half & half
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

• 1. Season chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• 2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through; remove to a plate.
• 3. In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
• 4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add pasta, reduce heat, cover, and cook 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
• 5. Stir in milk and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
• 6. Return cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat in sauce.
• 7. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and adjust seasoning to taste before serving.

Notes

• Use freshly grated Parmesan so the sauce melts smoothly.
• Thin the sauce with a splash of broth or milk if it gets too thick.
• Great with a squeeze of lemon or red pepper flakes for extra brightness.
• Perfect for leftovers and meal prep.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 37g
• Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: garlic parmesan chicken pasta, one pot pasta, easy chicken pasta, creamy garlic pasta