My creamy chicken pasta is a hearty and flavorful weeknight dinner that you'll make again and again. Tender, seasoned chicken and al dente pasta are bathed in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce that fills the house with delicious aromas and your belly with a delightful taste!
Pasta dishes are always a great choice for a weeknight dinner or a potluck. They're easy to make and give you so many flavor options. From rich, creamy variations like Marry Me shrimp pasta or bacon smoked mac and cheese recipe to a super simple plateful of garlic butter chicken pasta, you can always find something that makes everyone happy.
This creamy chicken pasta recipe is one of those dishes that always has everyone coming back for more. With all that seasoned chicken in a tomato cream sauce filled with garlic and parmesan, it's a hit every time.
If you're dairy free, you have to check out this dairy free Marry Me chicken. It has a similar flavor profile with a creamy tomato sauce, chicken, and gluten free pasta.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Basic Ingredients: This recipe utilizes simple ingredients, including chicken, cream, pasta, and seasonings, which can be found in your kitchen or at your local grocery store.
- Easy to Make: This is a simple recipe that requires only a few steps and approximately 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust several of the ingredients in this recipe to make it your own.
- Versatile: This makes a great potluck dish in addition to being a fantastic weeknight dinner.
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Ingredients
You can find a complete list of the ingredients and their amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post. I just have one quick note to include here.
I recommend using Springer Mountain Farms boneless skinless chicken breasts if you can find them. They never use antibiotics or add hormones, and their feed is free of animal by-products.
Variations
- Protein: I used chicken breasts, but this recipe would work with chicken thighs, cubed pork or beef, and shrimp.
- Traditional: Like all my gluten-free main dishes, this creamy chicken pasta uses gluten-free alternatives. If you don't have gluten issues, feel free to use regular pasta and flour.
- Spicy: Add some red pepper flakes for a kick of heat that works well with the rest of the flavors in the dish.
- Add Veggies: Spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli work very well in this recipe.
- Chicken Stock: For a deeper chicken flavor, use chicken bone broth in place of chicken broth.
- Milk: You can use milk in place of cream for a lighter sauce that's still rich and full of flavor.
- Pasta: You can use any short, textured pasta for this dish. They all work well.
- Make it Lighter: For a lighter version of this recipe with all the great flavor, try my pasta with chicken and garlic.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Season the chicken on both sides with the chicken seasonings.
- Sear the chicken in olive oil on both sides. Then, reduce the heat and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let rest and then slice.
Step 3. Simmer the sun-dried tomatoes and pasta seasonings in butter until fragrant.
Step 4. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and cook until the sauce has thickened. Add cooked al dente pasta and the sliced chicken, and gently stir to coat. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Be sure to let your chicken rest for a few minutes before you slice it. It needs time for the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- If possible, shred your own Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has additives to keep it from sticking. They can affect the texture of the sauce.
- Your pasta should be cooked to al dente and no further. If it's too soft, it will break apart as you mix it into the sauce.
- Cook your seasonings until fragrant, but not too long. You don't want to brown the garlic and make it bitter.
- I like using a large, enameled skillet. I find it holds heat better.
Creamy Chicken Pasta FAQ
Whether it's a simple Alfredo sauce or a more complex dish, creamy pasta typically begins with a roux made from butter or fat and flour. The roux is then used to thicken seasoned milk or cream. Cheese, such as Parmesan or mozzarella, is often added as well.
It sure is! Milk is often used in place of cream in creamy sauces to create a lighter, smoother texture. If you're using milk because you ran out of cream, add a bit more butter to mimic the richness of cream.
The right cream for your creamy chicken pasta is largely a personal preference. Heavy cream creates the thickest, richest sauce, while half-and-half produces a lighter sauce that still maintains its luxurious texture.
A wide variety of herbs and spices complements a creamy chicken pasta dish well. Italian seasoning, paprika, minced onions, minced garlic, thyme, sage, and rosemary are all excellent choices.
📖 Recipe
Creamy Chicken Pasta
Video
Ingredients
Seasoned Chicken
- 12 oz chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sun-dried tomato powder chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Creamy Pasta
- 12 oz gluten free pasta
- 3 tablespoon butter
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 tablespoon dry shallots
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ tablespoon gluten free flour
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 10 oz parmesan shredded
- ¼ cup pasta water
Instructions
Chicken
- Boil the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some of the pasta water.
- Combine the chicken seasonings in a small bowl. Then, season the chicken breasts with it on both sides.
- Sear the chicken in olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side. Then, flip the chicken, cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for an additional 10 to 12 minutes. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees.
- Set the chicken aside on a cutting board and let it rest while you make the sauce.
Sauce
- Melt the butter in the same pan and add the sun-dried tomatoes and the pasta seasonings. Saute, stirring constantly for about a minute.
- Add the flour and cook for another minute.
- Add the chicken broth and heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
- Add the parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Then, continue to cook until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Add the pasta to the sauce and gently stir to coat. Thin out the sauce if necessary with a little reserved pasta water.
- Slice the chicken and gently mix it into the pasta. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to let your chicken rest for a few minutes before you slice it. It needs time for the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Your pasta should be cooked to al dente and no further. If it's too soft, it will break apart as you mix it into the sauce.
- Cook your seasonings until fragrant, but not too long. You don't want to brown the garlic and make it bitter.
- I like using a large, enameled skillet. I find it holds heat better.
Eloise says
My whole family loved this recipe. We aren't gluten-free, so I used regular pasta but I do have a friend who is so I've passed this on to her since it was so yummy. Thanks for the great dinner idea!
Nicole Kendrick says
You are so sweet for sharing the recipe and this comment. We love helping everyone with our without gluten! I am so grateful for you, Eloise.
Magali Mutombo says
This was such a delicious chicken! I specially liked the kick from the smoked paprika. I might have added a little more 🤭
Nicole Kendrick says
It is one of my secret ingredients! Smoked Paprika is perfect for people looking for an extra kick.
Elisa says
We loved this recipe, made it for dinner over the weekend, and it was delicious!!! so creamy and full of flavor. Thanks!
Nicole Kendrick says
Sunday dinner with good food and even better people is a MUST. Glad we could help! -NK
Jacqui says
This is a brilliant gluten free pasta recipe. We loved the creamy sauce!
Nicole Kendrick says
Thank you so much!
Grace says
This was a great, filling, warming dinner for all of us after a chilly soccer practice. I'm keeping this recipe for sure.
Jaleah says
This creamy chicken pasta is amazing! Such a delicious weeknight dinner.
Elizabeth says
This chicken pasta was incredible. So easy to make, and my family loved it!
Ashley says
This was so yummy! And it was easy enough even for the hectic weeknight we had with back-to-school activities!
Krystle Smith says
I gave this a spin, and it was so delicious. Definitely a bookmark-worthy recipe!