Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta – Easy One-Pan Dinner

I still remember the first time I made creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta on a busy weeknight. At first, I thought creamy pastas were too heavy for a regular dinner, but one bite changed my mind. The sauce was silky, the garlic gave it warmth, and the parmesan added that perfect savory kick. What surprised me most was how quickly it all came together in one pan. It instantly became a family favorite, and now it’s my go-to comfort food dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

This creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta is more than just another chicken pasta recipe—it’s a dish that makes dinner feel special without taking hours in the kitchen. The creamy garlic sauce coats every piece of pasta, creating a rich, comforting bite in every forkful. Because it’s an easy chicken pasta made in one pan, cleanup is simple, making it ideal for a busy weeknight dinner. It’s quick, satisfying, and versatile, so you can serve it for family meals or even impress guests with minimal effort.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Parmesan Pasta

To make the best creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, start with simple ingredients that bring out bold flavor and a rich, creamy texture. Each component plays an important role in building the perfect chicken pasta recipe:

• Chicken breast or thighs – Lean, juicy protein that cooks quickly and holds flavor.
• Garlic cloves – Fresh garlic creates the foundation for the creamy garlic sauce.
• Parmesan cheese – Adds a salty, nutty depth that makes the sauce irresistible.
• Heavy cream – Creates the silky base for a true creamy chicken pasta.
• Butter and olive oil – Balance richness and help sear the chicken to golden perfection.
• Pasta – Penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti all work; choose your favorite shape.
• Fresh herbs – Parsley or basil add a burst of freshness to balance the creaminess.
• Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes enhance flavor.

When combined, these essentials create a quick pasta dinner that feels like restaurant-quality comfort food.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta

Making creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these simple steps for a smooth cooking process and a delicious one-pan dinner:

1. Prep the ingredients – Slice chicken breasts into thin strips for quick, even cooking. Mince the garlic, grate fresh parmesan, and chop herbs so everything is ready before you start.
2. Preheat your stainless steel pan – Add a drizzle of olive oil. When the oil shimmers, it’s hot enough for searing. This step locks in flavor.
3. Cook the chicken – Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
4. Build the creamy garlic sauce – In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, then add parmesan cheese. Simmer until smooth and slightly thickened.
5. Boil the pasta – Cook your pasta until al dente, then save about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
6. Combine everything – Return the chicken to the skillet, add the pasta, and toss in the creamy garlic sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
7. Finish and serve – Garnish with parsley or basil, sprinkle extra parmesan on top, and serve hot.

This method gives you tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy garlic sauce that clings to every bite.

How to Know When Your Stainless Steel Pan Is Preheated

A properly preheated stainless steel pan makes all the difference when cooking chicken for creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta. If the pan is too cool, the chicken will stick. If it’s too hot, it may burn before cooking through. Here are two simple ways to check:

• Oil shimmer test – Add a small amount of olive oil. When it spreads quickly and shimmers across the surface, the pan is ready.
• Water droplet test – Drop a few drops of water onto the pan. If the droplets roll and dance on the surface instead of evaporating immediately, the heat is perfect for searing.

By preheating correctly, you’ll get golden, juicy chicken that builds flavor for the creamy garlic sauce while preventing sticking or uneven cooking.

Gluten-Free Option: Adapting the Chicken Pasta Recipe

If you’re avoiding gluten, you can still enjoy creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta without losing flavor or texture. The key is choosing the right pasta and making small adjustments to the sauce.

• Choose gluten-free pasta – Rice pasta, quinoa pasta, or chickpea pasta hold up well in creamy sauces. Cook them just until al dente, since they can soften quickly.
• Watch the starch level – Gluten-free pasta releases more starch into the water. Save a small amount of the pasta water, but don’t overdo it when loosening the sauce.
• Thicken the sauce if needed – If the creamy garlic sauce feels thinner than usual, whisk in a teaspoon of gluten-free flour or cornstarch slurry to bring back the silky texture.

With these adjustments, you’ll have a gluten-free chicken pasta that tastes just as comforting and satisfying as the traditional version, making it perfect for family dinners or a quick pasta night.

Dairy-Free Alternatives for This Creamy Garlic Chicken

If you need a dairy-free option, you can still enjoy creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta with a few simple swaps. The goal is to keep the sauce rich and smooth while avoiding heavy cream and traditional cheese.

• Coconut milk or oat milk – Both create a silky base for a creamy garlic sauce. Use full-fat versions for better thickness.
• Nutritional yeast – Adds a cheesy flavor without dairy and blends well into sauces.
• Dairy-free parmesan or mozzarella – Many store-bought options melt smoothly and give the same salty bite as traditional cheese.
• Olive oil instead of butter – Keeps the sauce light while maintaining richness.

By combining these ingredients, you can prepare a dairy-free chicken pasta that still feels indulgent and satisfying. The sauce remains creamy, the garlic stays bold, and the pasta delivers comfort food flavor in every bite—perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions.

Can You Substitute Milk for Heavy Cream?

Yes, you can substitute milk for heavy cream in creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, but there are a few tips to ensure the sauce stays rich and smooth.

• Use whole milk – It provides more creaminess than skim or low-fat milk.
• Thicken with a cornstarch slurry – Mix 1–2 teaspoons of cornstarch with cold milk and stir it into the sauce to achieve the desired consistency.
• Simmer gently – Milk is more likely to curdle if boiled. Keep the sauce at low heat and stir continuously until it thickens.
• Add cheese gradually – Gradually stirring in parmesan helps the sauce maintain a creamy texture without separating.

Using milk instead of heavy cream makes the dish lighter while still keeping the pasta flavorful and the sauce silky. This is a great option for a quick weeknight dinner or when you want a slightly lighter creamy chicken pasta.

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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta is a quick, one-pan dinner with tender chicken, rich sauce, and bold flavors. Perfect for weeknights or comfort food nights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 Chicken breasts Sliced into strips
• 3 cloves Garlic Minced
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated
• 1 cup Heavy cream Or dairy-free alternative
• 2 tbsp Butter Or olive oil for dairy-free
• 1 tbsp Olive oil For searing chicken
• 8 oz Pasta Penne fettuccine, or spaghetti
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley Chopped
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper Adjust to taste
• 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes Optional
• To taste Salt Adjust to taste

Instructions

 

• Prep ingredients: Slice chicken, mince garlic, grate parmesan, and chop herbs.
• Preheat skillet: Heat olive oil in a stainless steel pan until shimmering.
• Cook chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper, sear until golden brown, then remove from pan.
• Make sauce: Melt butter in the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant, then add heavy cream. Stir in parmesan and simmer until smooth.
• Cook pasta: Boil pasta until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
• Combine: Add chicken and pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Use reserved pasta water if needed.
• Finish: Garnish with parsley, sprinkle extra parmesan, and serve hot.

Notes

• Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut or oat milk for dairy-free pasta.
• Avoid overcooking pasta; al dente works best.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream.

Keyword creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta, one-pan dinner