🍝 Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and incredibly comforting, this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the kind of easy weeknight dinner that has everyone reaching for seconds.
Tender golden chicken and silky pasta are tossed in a rich homemade Parmesan cream sauce loaded with garlic and Italian herbs. A splash of reserved pasta water helps create a smooth, glossy sauce that clings beautifully to every strand.
It’s restaurant-style comfort food made right at home in about 30 minutes.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 30 minutes
Servings: 4–5
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Stovetop
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pasta & Chicken
- 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine or linguine
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
For the Parmesan Cream Sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- ½ cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water, as needed
For Garnishing
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra freshly grated Parmesan
- A pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
Add the fettuccine or linguine and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
Before draining, scoop out ½ cup of the pasta water and set it aside.
Drain the pasta well.
Don’t rinse the pasta—the starch on the surface helps the sauce cling to it.
2. Season the Chicken
While the pasta cooks, place the bite-size chicken pieces in a bowl.
Season with the garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Brown the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on the outside and cooked through.
Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
4. Sauté the Garlic
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the butter to the same skillet.
Once melted, add the minced garlic.
Cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Be careful not to brown or burn the garlic.
5. Build the Cream Sauce
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet.
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Simmer for 1–2 minutes.
Add the heavy cream and red pepper flakes, if using.
Stir gently and allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer.
Do not let it boil aggressively.
6. Add the Parmesan
Reduce the heat to low.
Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and incorporated.
The sauce should become smooth, creamy, and lightly thickened.
If it becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
7. Add the Pasta
Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet.
Toss gently with the creamy Parmesan sauce until every strand is coated.
Add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
The finished sauce should be silky and cling to the pasta rather than sitting heavily at the bottom of the pan.
8. Return the Chicken
Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet.
Toss everything together and cook for another 1–2 minutes, just until the chicken is warmed through.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
9. Garnish and Serve
Remove from the heat.
Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat if desired.
Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Use freshly grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded Parmesan doesn’t melt as smoothly and can make the sauce grainy.
Don’t boil the cream sauce: Gentle heat keeps the sauce smooth and prevents the dairy from separating.
Save the pasta water: The starchy water is the secret to loosening and emulsifying the sauce without making it watery.
Don’t overcook the chicken: Bite-size pieces cook quickly. Remove them from the skillet as soon as they’re cooked through.
Season in layers: Season the chicken, sauce, and pasta water so the finished dish has balanced flavor throughout.
Serve immediately: Cream sauces naturally thicken as they cool, so this pasta is at its creamiest straight from the skillet.
🌶️ Easy Variations
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Replace the Italian seasoning with 1–2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning for a spicy Cajun-style version.
Spinach Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Add 2 cups fresh baby spinach to the sauce during the final few minutes of cooking.
Broccoli Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Add 2 cups small broccoli florets to the pasta water during the final 3–4 minutes of cooking.
Mushroom Chicken Pasta
Sauté 8 oz sliced mushrooms in the skillet before making the cream sauce.
Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Add ½ cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes to the finished sauce.
Extra-Garlic Parmesan Pasta
For serious garlic lovers, add another 1–2 cloves of minced garlic to the sauce.
🥗 What to Serve With It
Pair this rich pasta with something fresh and simple:
- Garlic bread
- Crusty Italian bread
- Caesar salad
- Garden salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted asparagus
- Sautéed green beans
A crisp salad makes a particularly nice contrast to the creamy Parmesan sauce.
🧊 Storage
Allow leftovers to cool slightly before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Because cream sauces thicken when chilled, the pasta may need a little liquid when reheated.
🔥 Reheating
Place the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add a splash of milk, cream, chicken broth, or water.
Stir gently until heated through and creamy again.
You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring between each interval.
❄️ Freezing
Cream-based pasta is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing can slightly change the texture of the sauce.
If you do freeze it, store it in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth.
🍝🧄🧀 Final Result
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is everything you want in a cozy homemade dinner: tender golden chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, loads of garlic, silky heavy cream, and plenty of freshly grated Parmesan.
The sauce is rich without being complicated, while the reserved pasta water gives it that smooth, glossy restaurant-style finish.
Creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and absolutely impossible to resist! 🍝✨