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Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A close-up of creamy chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles, seasoned chicken pieces, and grated Parmesan cheese.

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Welcome to My Kitchen! I am sharing my favorite recipe for Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. This restaurant-style dish brings rich, comforting flavor to your table quickly, making it a perfect weeknight chicken pasta dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the cut chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Let the sauce gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly.
  7. Stir in the Italian seasoning and the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety. Taste the sauce and add more salt or pepper if needed.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy sauce.
  9. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  10. Serve immediately. Garnish each serving with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. This easy chicken pasta recipe is ready for your family table.

Notes

  • For a high protein chicken pasta variation, use whole wheat pasta or add a tablespoon of cream cheese for extra richness without thinning the sauce too much.
  • If you want a little spice, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic. This gives it a slight kick, similar to a Cajun chicken pasta flavor profile.
  • Always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent the sauce from becoming truly smooth and velvety.

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