![- Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces - Pasta: 8 oz penne or fettuccine - Sauce Ingredients: 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese I love this dish because it uses simple, fresh ingredients that blend perfectly. The chicken adds protein and flavor, while the pasta gives it heartiness. Garlic brings a nice kick, and the cream and Parmesan make the sauce rich and creamy. - Olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes - Fresh parsley for garnish I use olive oil to sauté the chicken and garlic. It adds a nice depth of flavor. Salt and pepper are key for seasoning. If you like heat, toss in some red pepper flakes. They give a nice warmth without overpowering the dish. Finally, sprinkle fresh parsley on top before serving. It adds color and freshness to the plate. This recipe is all about balance. You want the chicken to shine, but you also want the sauce to be rich. The Full Recipe gives you all the steps to make this dish a hit at your table. To start, fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring the water to a boil. Then, add your pasta. I recommend penne or fettuccine for this dish. Cook the pasta based on the package instructions, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, reserve half a cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Next, take a large skillet and heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cut chicken pieces to the skillet. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if you like some heat. Sauté these for about one minute until the garlic smells great. Then, pour in one cup of heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer. This step will create a rich and creamy sauce. Now, it's time to make it creamy! Whisk in three-quarters of a cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Add the chicken and pasta back into the skillet. Toss everything together, and use the reserved pasta water to get your desired sauce thickness. Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. For a fresh touch, garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Your delicious Easy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta is now ready to enjoy. For more details, check out the Full Recipe. For the best results, start with boiling salted water for your pasta. This enhances flavor. Cook your pasta just until al dente. This means it should still have a slight bite. Reserve about half a cup of pasta water before draining. This water helps adjust the sauce later. For the chicken, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper before cooking. Cook the chicken until it's browned, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Don’t overcook! This keeps the chicken juicy. To achieve a creamy sauce, add the heavy cream slowly. Stir it in well, allowing it to simmer gently. Then, whisk in the Parmesan cheese until it melts. This creates the creamy texture that everyone loves. If you want a lighter dish, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. This keeps the creaminess but lowers the fat. For Parmesan cheese, try nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option. It adds a cheesy flavor without the milk. When it comes to pasta types, penne and fettuccine are great choices. You can also use spaghetti or rotini. They all hold onto the sauce well, making every bite flavorful. To boost flavor, consider adding fresh vegetables. Spinach or broccoli works well. Just toss them in during the last few minutes of cooking. Herbs like basil or thyme add freshness too. If you want some heat, adjust the spice levels by adding more or fewer red pepper flakes. For a milder dish, skip them altogether. For extra zing, a squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors nicely. For the full recipe, check out the Easy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta 🧄. {{image_2}} You can switch up the protein in this dish. If you want to change from chicken, try shrimp. Shrimp cooks fast and brings a sweet taste. Tofu is a great choice too. It soaks up flavors well, making it a tasty option for vegetarians. For veggie lovers, mushrooms or chickpeas can work wonders. Use mushrooms for a hearty bite. Chickpeas add a nice crunch and protein. Both options make this dish filling and fun. Looking to lighten things up? You can make a lighter sauce using milk or yogurt. This change keeps the creaminess but cuts down the fat. Adding lemon juice or fresh herbs can brighten it up, too. Herbs like basil or parsley add fresh flavors, making each bite more exciting. If you need gluten-free options, there are many pasta choices. Rice pasta or quinoa pasta is easy to find. Both can replace traditional pasta without losing taste. For a veggie twist, try zucchini noodles or cauliflower pasta. Zucchini noodles are low in carbs and add a fresh crunch. Cauliflower pasta is also great. It keeps the dish light and adds a unique flavor. Feel free to explore these variations to make the recipe your own! For the complete recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container. Make sure the pasta cools down before sealing. This way, it won’t steam inside. Properly stored, your Easy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Always check for signs of spoilage before enjoying your leftovers. If you want to freeze your pasta, follow these best practices. First, let the dish cool completely. Then, spoon it into freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out the air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. This dish can stay fresh for about 2 to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it gently on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of water or cream to bring back the creaminess. Stir often to heat evenly and enjoy your meal just like when it was fresh! Making Easy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta takes about 30 minutes. You spend around 10 minutes prepping ingredients. The cooking time is about 20 minutes. This quick recipe fits perfectly into a busy weeknight dinner. Yes, you can make this dish dairy-free. Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. For cheese, try nutritional yeast or a dairy-free Parmesan. These swaps keep the creamy flavor while fitting your diet. You can serve this pasta with a fresh salad or garlic bread. A Caesar salad pairs well with the creamy pasta. Roasted veggies also complement the meal nicely. Try adding a side of steamed broccoli for extra nutrients. If your sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water. Start with a few tablespoons and stir well. This helps loosen the sauce without losing flavor. You can also add a splash of broth or extra cream if needed. For the full recipe, check out the section above. In this post, we explored making Easy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta. You learned about the main ingredients and their roles. We covered simple steps to cook pasta, sauté chicken, and create a creamy garlic sauce. I shared tips for cooking and flavor-enhancing options. You can even switch proteins or pasta types to suit your taste. Remember, this dish is flexible and easy to store or freeze. Enjoy crafting this delicious meal and share it with loved ones!](https://toastedrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/a7b8bdd8-ee88-4a06-83a9-31e180b776d2-300x300.webp)
Easy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Indulge in this Easy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta that combines tender chicken, creamy garlic sauce, and al dente pasta for a delightful meal. In just 30 minutes, you can create a dish that's perfect for family dinners or impressing guests. Follow the simple steps to make this flavorful recipe that everyone will love. Click through to explore the full recipe and elevate your dinner game tonight!