Busy weeknights call for easy, comforting meals, and this Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is a total lifesaver! It’s rich, garlicky, and packed with tender chicken, all wrapped up in a silky Parmesan cream sauce. Best part? It comes together in 30 minutes or less—because who has time for anything longer?
👉 Ingredients
For the Chicken & Pasta:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or any favorite shape)
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
👉 Directions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water—this will help adjust the sauce later if needed. Set pasta aside.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and paprika, and cook until golden brown and fully cooked (about 5–7 minutes).
- Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it burn!).
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
- Add the cooked chicken back into the sauce and stir to coat.
- Toss in the drained pasta, mixing everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until it’s silky smooth.
- Let everything warm through for 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley (if you’re feeling fancy).
- Serve immediately and watch it disappear!
⭐ What Sides Go Well with This Dish?
This dish is rich, so keep the sides light and simple:
- A crisp Caesar salad
- Steamed broccoli or asparagus
- Garlic bread (because carbs on carbs are always a good idea!)
🔄 Time-Saving Tips
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to skip the chicken cooking step entirely!
- Swap pre-minced garlic if you’re short on time (though fresh gives the best flavor).
- Use fresh pasta (like refrigerated fettuccine) for an even faster meal!
🧒 Kid-Friendly Tweaks
- Skip the red pepper flakes for a milder, kid-approved version.
- Stir in a little extra Parmesan or shredded mozzarella for extra cheesiness.
- Serve with buttered noodles on the side for picky eaters who might want to try the sauce separately.
🔄 Ingredient Swaps
- No heavy cream? Use half-and-half or whole milk (though the sauce will be thinner).
- No Parmesan? Try Pecorino Romano or even a mix of shredded mozzarella and cheddar.
- No chicken? Swap in shrimp, tofu, or mushrooms for a delicious variation!
This Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner—quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s totally customizable based on what you have in the fridge! Give it a try, and let me know how your family loves it. 🍽💛
