Print

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken: 1 Stunning Dinner

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A comforting and decadent Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. This Italian-American inspired dish features tender chicken and pasta coated in a rich, garlicky, Parmesan-infused cream sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Chicken:
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • For the Pasta:
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, or your favorite)
  • Water for boiling
  • Salt for pasta water
  • For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
  3. Remove chicken from skillet, set aside to rest for a few minutes, then slice into thin strips or cubes.
  4. While chicken rests, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  5. Before draining pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
  6. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  7. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  8. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick, or simmer longer if too thin.
  9. Stir in chopped fresh parsley.
  10. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
  11. Add sliced or cubed chicken to the pasta and sauce. Toss gently to combine. Add a little reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the pasta.
  12. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • Add Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, asparagus, and sun-dried tomatoes work well. Add them to the skillet with garlic or after the sauce thickens.
  • Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken.
  • Use Different Cheese: Pecorino Romano or Asiago can be used instead of Parmesan.
  • Make it Lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or add a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Make it Ahead: Prepare chicken and sauce ahead of time, store separately, and combine with cooked pasta when ready to eat.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta.
  • Chicken Thighs: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for more flavor and moisture.
  • Wine Addition: Add a splash of dry white wine to the sauce after cooking garlic, let it reduce before adding cream and broth.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add 1/2 cup of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (drained) to the sauce.
  • Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms in the skillet before adding garlic.

Nutrition