Chicken garlic parmesan pasta makes the perfect weeknight meal or Sunday meal prep. With minimal pantry staples, this Parmesan chicken pasta recipe comes together in under 30 minutes! Combining seasoned chicken breast seared to perfection and then diced up into bite-sized pieces, with an irresistible creamy garlic sauce, it’s the ultimate plate of comfort food!
Quick Look: Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
- ⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 20 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 30 minutes
- 🍲 Servings: 10 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 521 calories per serving
- 🍂 Flavor Profile: Deep notes of garlic with creamy parmesan and salty bacon
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy - Perfect pasta each time it comes off the stove
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS RECIPE ON:
This cheesy, creamy chicken pasta dish is packed with lean protein in a garlic parmesan sauce and pairs well with grinder salad recipe, garlic bread, or soft bread dipped in an array of oils and herbs. With such ease of preparation, this is guaranteed to become a family favorite and the new front-runner to your dinner rotation. I can assure you it's one my whole family loves.
One of my favorite things about this garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe is how rich and hearty it is, without requiring a lot of work. Its creamy, garlicky flavor is so good that everyone comes back for more, making it one of those dinner ideas perfect for a family of picky eaters!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Basic Ingredients: You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe, and you can find them all in your kitchen or at your local grocery store.
- Easy: This easy recipe is ready in just about 30 minutes and only requires a few simple steps.
- Hearty: This rich, creamy, meaty dish ids the perfect hearty meal for your family, feeding up to six people.
- Budget-Friendly: This dish might taste like it was made in a restaurant, but the price tag is absolutely homemade. It's made with budget-friendly ingredients that won't break the bank.
- Kid-Approved: This simple dish is full of delicious flavors and simple ingredients that even picky kids will love.
- Versatile: It's easy to tweak this recipe to add more vegetables, make it vegan, or make it dairy free in addition to being gluten free.
Jump to:
Ingredients
My go-to chicken for my family is Springer Mountain Farms skinless chicken breast. Springer Mountain Farms chicken is always gluten-free and free of hormones and antibiotics.
You can find a complete list of ingredients and their exact amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. I've also included some discount codes you can use to save some money!
Variations
- Chicken Tenders: Serve this recipe with cooked chicken tenders for a more takeout-style appeal.
- Chicken Thighs: Use boneless skinless chicken thighs in place of breasts to give this parmesan pasta recipe a more robust flavor.
- Meaty Mac and Cheese: Use cheddar cheese instead of Parmesan cheese to make this more of a macaroni and cheese.
- Add Veggies: During the final stages of cooking, add fresh vegetables, like spinach, kale, or even steamed broccoli. Asparagus makes a great side as well. You can add mushrooms in the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking, as well.
- Bacon: Add chopped bacon for a smoky flavor similar to this bacon smoked mac and cheese recipe. Take things to the next level of yumminess by adding grated Parmesan cheese once the pasta dinner is done cooking. One can never go wrong with freshly grated Parmesan.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to give this sauce a kick of heat that works well with its creamy texture and cheesy, garlicky flavor.
- Dairy Free: If you're lactose intolerant, use vegan dairy ingredients to create dairy free chicken alfredo version of this recipe.
How to Make Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Step. 1 Boil the pasta according to the directions for al dente. Then, drain, reserving some of the pasta water. Mix the chicken seasonings in a small bowl. Then, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness and coat both sides.
Step. 2 In a large skillet over medium heat, sear the chicken in olive oil on each side until golden. Then, flip the chicken, lower the heat to medium, and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board.
Step. 3 Simmer the sauce seasonings in butter in the same skillet until fragrant. Then, add the flour and stir well.
Step. 4 Add the chicken broth and heavy cream and whisk well. Then, add the Parmesan cheese, stir, and cook utnil the sauce is thickened.
Step. 5 Add the pasta and gently stir until evenly coated. Then, thin out the sauce if necessary by adding a little pasta water at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
Step. 6 Slice the chicken breasts, add them to the pasta, and gently stir to coat. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- If your sauce is too thick at the end, slowly use the reserved pasta water to thin it out. I recommend only one to two tablespoons at a time, so it doesn't become runny.
- Always add salt to your pasta water before boiling, to prevent the pasta from sticking. Additionally, you can run cold water over it after cooking.
- Make sure you have lowered the heat before adding the butter to the pan. Missing this crucial step will result in burnt butter.
- Be sure to remove the chicken from the heat as soon as it reaches the internal temperature of 165 ℉. Then, wait for the chicken to cool completely while making the sauce. Cut the chicken once it has cooled. This will retain moisture within the chicken breasts.
Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta FAQ
The seasoned, earthy flavors of chicken garlic parmesan pair well with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables and garlic bread.
Short, textured noodles are best for creamy pasta recipes, such as chicken garlic parmesan. They hold the sauce well and are easier to eat than long noodles.
Yes, you can. Simply replace the butter, cream, and cheese with high-quality vegan versions for a dairy free version that's almost indistinguishable from the traditional version.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below! I would love to hear back from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Pinterest, Tiktok, and Facebook for more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil Costabile Brand (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off)
- 1 ½ lb Springer mountain farms chicken breast
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika OliveNation
- 1 ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder OliveNation
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 oz gluten free farfalle pasta
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoon dry shallots (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off)
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoon Gluten Free 1:1 Flour
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 12 oz shredded parmesan
- ¼ cup pasta water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large pot, boil pasta according to the directions on the box for al dente.
- Place all chicken seasonings into a small bowl and mix. Paprika, oregano, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pound chicken down to thin out slightly.
- Then season the chicken on both sides with seasoning.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium heat.
- Once hot, sear the chicken for 5 minutes on each side.
- Once both sides are seared, flip the chicken and lower the heat slightly to medium low.
- Place a lid on the pan and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes.
- Once the internal temperature is 165 degrees, remove the chicken from the pan and place onto a cutting board.
- Place the butter into the pan and allow it to melt.
- Once the butter is melted, add the pasta seasonings: shallots, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir well and simmer for one minute.
- Next, add in the flour and stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream.
- Whisk well until a smooth and creamy sauce has been formed.
- Pour in the Parmesan cheese and stir together until completely melted.
- Allow it to cook, stirring occasionally until desired consistency is met.
- Pour in the pasta and toss well to coat evenly.
- Add pasta water one tablespoon as a time to thin out the sauce.
- Once that is done, slice the chicken breast and add them to the pasta.
- Carefully stir, then serve!
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat the entire dish in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals.
- If your sauce is too thick at the end, slowly use the reserved pasta water to thin it out. I recommend only one to two tablespoons at a time, so it doesn't become runny.
- Always add salt to your pasta water before boiling, to prevent the pasta from sticking. Additionally, you can run cold water over it after cooking.
- Make sure you have lowered the heat before adding the butter to the pan. Missing this crucial step will result in burnt butter.
- Be sure to remove the chicken from the heat as soon as it reaches the internal temperature of 165 ℉. Then, wait for the chicken to cool completely while making the sauce. Cut the chicken once it has cooled. This will retain moisture within the chicken breasts.
Grace says
I tracked down your blog after seeing this recipe in a Facebook reel. My name is Grace, so it felt like fate to find it. My family of 7 loves this recipe (and it's rare that we all agree on a dish). It's so easy and flavorful. It's also very versatile, you can change up the seasonings or use a little more broth and a little less cream and it still comes out amazing. Thank you!
Nicole Kendrick says
This makes my heart so happy!! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me. Love that the recipe will be a part of your family from now on!!!
Eme says
It was pretty good! However, I thought it tasted too parmesan-y. I added more garlic powder and salt to taste to fix this but was overall a great meal!
Denise says
Can this be made dairy free and if so, what are your suggestions?
NKendrick says
Hello, This recipe has a dairy free version on my site: https://goldengracekitchen.com/dairy-free-chicken-alfredo/
Juyali says
Such a tasty dish. Perfect for meal planning as you said. It had terrific flavor and texture. Loved everything about it.
Kim says
This recipe is fabulous. We had it for dinner last night and the whole family loved it.
Elizabeth says
This pasta recipe is delicious! My family loved it and even asked for seconds. Adding this to our weeknight dinner rotation!
Lathiya says
The chicken parmesan pasta was perfect for our dinner date. It tasted amazing and we loved it.
Sonja says
Mmmmh creamy, cheesy garlic sauce! Who could ever resist? Not me for sure. The seasoning of the chicken made all the difference and added so much flavor.
Michelle says
Oh my goodness!!!😍. This was so yummy but I did make some adjustments because I try to eat plant based as much as possible for health reasons.
I used vegan butter and Parmesan cheese and used coconut milk instead of heavy cream and vegetable broth with “not chicken” bouillon. I took one of the other reviewers suggestions and added sun dried tomatoes and fresh spinach then dished some out for me before adding in the chicken (tho I did taste a little piece of chicken and it is seasoned perfectly!). I think I might add mushrooms next time I make this 💜
NKendrick says
Thank you for this wonderful, detailed review! I am so glad you were able to enjoy it and make delicious adjustments.
Mandy Timboe says
My daughter saw this recipe on Instagram and said we had to try it. It was seriously so delicious! I doubled the recipe and fed 4 hungry teens and two adults and they are already begging me to make it again. Great flavor and pretty quick and easy to make!
NKendrick says
So happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing!
Allysa says
This is definitely going on the repeat list for dinner, had to use regular plain flour as the required flour wasn’t available to, also tweaked the recipe to make it more kid friendly for my 2 year old sister, but we all really loved😍😍
NKendrick says
Thank you for sharing. So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Alyssa says
My husband, toddler and I all absolutely loved this recipe. Super easy to follow, and SO full of flavor. A yummy, creamy sauce and juicy chicken 🤤
Lynsey says
Can this be frozen as a dump bag before cooking?
NKendrick says
Hello, I have not tried that as of yet but please let me know if you do!
Tina says
I was thinking of removing pasta, and using mashed potatoes as my starch. Anybody else not put in the pasta? Recipe looks fantastic, making this week for family.
NKendrick says
GIRLLLLLL, that sounds amazing! I may have to try that!
Katrina says
Tried this recipe for my family, it was soo amazing! Very easy to do and especially filling! This will be definitely be in our recipe rotation!
NKendrick says
Thank you so much! happy to hear you loved it!