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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken

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This creamy garlic parmesan pasta with chicken is a quick, comforting dinner that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen. Juicy chicken, a silky garlic parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta make this an easy family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), sliced thin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 12 oz fettuccine or linguine (regular or whole wheat)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4–5 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/4 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes
  • Optional: Baby spinach or steamed broccoli
  • Optional: Toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Slice chicken breasts into thin strips. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  2. Fill a medium saucepan with water, add 1 tablespoon salt, and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (9-11 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chicken strips in a single layer. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add 3 tablespoons butter to the skillet. When melted, add minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  6. Lower heat to low. Gradually sprinkle in parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sauce thickness with reserved pasta water if needed.
  7. Add drained pasta and cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss gently until well coated. Stir in greens if using and let wilt for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
  8. Plate pasta with chicken, spooning extra sauce over the top. Garnish with more parmesan and parsley.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated parmesan. Don’t rush the garlic—cook gently to avoid bitterness. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water; if too thin, simmer longer. Store leftovers with sauce separate from pasta for best texture. Easily adaptable for gluten-free or dairy-free diets.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan pasta, chicken pasta, easy dinner, Italian pasta, comfort food, weeknight meal, family recipe

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