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Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Close-up of a serving of creamy chicken pasta coated in a rich sauce and heavily seasoned with black pepper.
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Make this rich, restaurant-quality creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta at home. This satisfying dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce gently simmer for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
  9. Serve immediately. Garnish each serving with fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a quicker meal, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Add the shredded chicken when you add the sauce back to the pan.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent the sauce from becoming perfectly smooth.
  • If you prefer a slight tang, add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daisyrecipe.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-pasta-recipe/