I’m super excited to share with you a recipe that’s not only EASY but also a TOTAL flavor BOMB: garlic parmesan chicken pasta. This isn’t just any pasta dish; it’s that perfect meal you crave after a long day. Trust me, my family asks for this dish every WEEK.
This recipe will become your new favorite comfort food. It combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luscious garlic parmesan sauce, making every bite an absolute delight! Let’s get COOKING!
I have another creamy pasta dish you’ll love! Check out our Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole for layers of cheesy, hearty goodness that’s perfect for dinner!
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Why You’ll Absolutely LOVE This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Before I get into the details, I HAVE TO say why I adore this dish SO much! For starters, garlic parmesan chicken pasta is unbelievably simple to make. We’re talking basic ingredients that blend together to create pure magic. We love how FAST this recipe is. If I have only a little time, I KNOW I can still enjoy an AMAZING dinner. Seriously, it is ready in about 30 minutes! AND it uses ingredients that we normally already have at home.
Also, who doesn’t love a plate of comforting carbs? This recipe is VERY satisfying, and the texture of everything blended together is heavenly. The best part? Everyone in the family goes for second helpings! Garlic parmesan chicken pasta will always get an “mmm, this is DELICIOUS.”
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Ingredients You’ll Need For Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
For this DELICIOUS garlic parmesan chicken pasta, grab these essentials:
- 1 pound of your favorite pasta (I love using penne or fettuccine!)
- 1.5 pounds of boneless, and skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more, if you’re a GARLIC FAN!)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, and some more for topping
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for Garnish! Yay!)
- Red pepper flakes if you want for some spice(totally optional)
These simple things come on to transform into a SUPERSTAR!
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How To Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Alright, let’s break down how to make this garlic parmesan chicken pasta. Remember, it only take about 20 MINUTES to prep the food and another 20 minutes to cook! BAM!
Pasta Time:
Cook your pasta according to package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, keep the other things going in the meanwhile. Be sure to keep one cup of pasta water aside. That thing helps the final product with more flavor and smoothness!
Chicken Power:
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. You add the chicken and cook it until it’s golden and done (about 7-8 minutes). Once your chicken is cooked you are getting to the AMAZING part, where the flavor hits, right on. Remember you have got to season!
Garlic LOVE:
Lower the heat a bit and throw in the garlic and Italian seasoning to cook for a minute until super fragrant (be careful to not BURN the garlic). Make your house SMELL fantastic! That aroma will fill in every single room!
Creamy Perfection:
Pour the heavy cream into the pan and stir. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes. Mix the sauce a little to get smooth.
Parmesan Boost:
Add the parmesan cheese and the pepper flakes if using to your sauce mixture, making sure it all comes together, and is well blended! Once the cheese is melt completely into the sauce. Season everything and bring that mixture to boil, to start building even more flavor. This part is super IMPORTANT! You dont want a cheese ball! Stir like you have a purpose!!
Pasta Blend:
Reduce the heat. Drain your pasta and add it to the sauce pan, together with the pasta water! Combine well so every part of the pasta is COVERED in the wonderful, aromatic sauce. Season again; this is also CRITICAL for flavor.
Finish and Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta:
Garnish your amazing dish with parsley and serve warm. Enjoy the DELIGHTS of having prepared some garlic parmesan chicken pasta from SCRATCH!
And VOILA, you did it!! Ready for serving. It looks amazing, doesn’t it?! You did SUCH A GOOD JOB, congrats on finishing that up. Now, it’s time to enjoy.
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Tips for the BEST Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta EVER
Here are some extra things that make my garlic parmesan chicken pasta STAND OUT from other recipes! This recipe makes a HUGE impact using VERY small changes:
- Fresh Garlic, Always: Freshly minced garlic has SO MUCH FLAVOR compared to the pre-minced stuff. Seriously, fresh garlic just CHANGES everything! Use freshly grounded pepper as well.
- Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh herbs (like parsley) right at the end does SO MUCH for color and flavor! Plus, its all fresh. Yummy.
- Pasta Perfection: Be careful not to overcook your pasta. Aim for “al dente” (with a slight bite). It cooks further in the pan when you mix it up! You will feel so professional.
- Parmesan Power: When in doubt, just put more parmesan on it! But seriously.
- Add Veggies: I sometimes throw in some sautéed spinach or mushrooms, making the whole dish extra good. These additions create another element of FLAVOR and taste amazing! Also… health stuff.
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Variations to Keep It Exciting!
Looking to spice things up? Try these tweaks to our beloved garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe:
- Creamy Tomato: Add a bit of tomato paste and crushed tomatoes to make a garlic parmesan tomato chicken pasta. I have done this many times, and it brings such a nice flavor change to your standard pasta. The addition of the acid makes it AMAZING.
- Spice It Up: Include some red pepper flakes or even a dash of hot sauce for some serious heat! Also jalapeño is always good for that added SPARK. I often get adventurous, go wild!
- Veggie Bonanza: Incorporate some sautéed broccoli, bell peppers, or asparagus. Anything that tastes good cooked is PERFECT for a good pasta.
- Lemon Burst: Squeeze in a little lemon juice at the end for brightness. If your pasta feels “heavy,” a quick dash of acid can CHANGE things dramatically.
- Different Proteins: Go with shrimp or Italian sausage instead of chicken, depending on your personal taste. The great thing about this recipe is how adaptable it can be to whatever taste we are feeling on the DAY!
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Perfect Serving Suggestions
This dish goes amazing by itself or along a side:
- Side Salad: A fresh side salad will add that CRISPINESS this rich and yummy dish needs. Balance your heavy meal with lighter foods.
- Garlic Bread: Get more carbs in. ALWAYS GOOD to have! No shame. I love some good garlic bread.
- Roasted Vegetables: Some simple roast veg will bring even more FLAVOR! Roast it to create a different mouth feel and experience with the dish.
My favorite suggestion is enjoying with good wine while with people you enjoy the company of. You will all be so relaxed. Just the thing you deserve after prepping food for everybody else!
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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: Great for Any Occasion!
Whether you are having a family dinner, a date night, or just treating yourself. This recipe is sure to please. The preparation time is fast enough to use this dish any night of the week. Garlic parmesan chicken pasta makes dinner so easy it doesn’t feel like a chore at all.
And get this! my hubby COOKED this exact recipe for dinner last night when I came from work. How AMAZING that my dish makes even cooking a non-tedious task for anybody? The aroma in the whole house after it was ready made my heart melt. And the meal tasted amazing too. No big effort. High reward meal!
This isn’t just food; this is comfort in a bowl. Let me tell you, after a big workout you want CARBS like those! If this doesn’t change your night i don’t know what else will.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Yes, you can! Just be aware that milk will result in a less rich sauce than the creamy stuff! If you don’t care much about a low calories meal go for cream!
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Sure! You can make the sauce in advance. Then combine it with pasta right before serving! Do not forget to cook pasta right before! Fresh pasta is IMPORTANT!
How can I store leftover garlic parmesan chicken pasta?
Just put it in an air-tight container in your fridge for up to 3 days; it is not meant to be kept for a long time, though, so consume it right away, or don’t worry! It will finish that very night. I tell you that for sure
Can I freeze garlic parmesan chicken pasta?
Its better when you prepare the meal and serve. But yes. However, the sauce may not have the same texture after defrosting! Is always best if you eat it all at the moment!! Is that amazing! I mean who wants to wait!!
Can I add other seasonings?
Sure thing! Feel free to use all seasonings your palate enjoy! Get wild, and mix things! Garlic powder and paprika work great here!!
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There you have it—my fail-proof recipe for garlic parmesan chicken pasta. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a comforting hug on a plate. I am certain it will get as much love in your household as it does in mine! Get cooking, make this dish your own, and make all your loved ones enjoy some amazing homemade pasta. HAPPY COOKING! YOU GOT THIS! And have yourself some great garlic parmesan chicken pasta.
