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.
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.