Description
This Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a rich, comforting dish featuring tender cubed chicken breasts tossed with twisted pasta in a luscious garlic-infused Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe balances savory flavors with a hint of spice and fresh parsley for garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
Pasta
- 1 lb twisted pasta (fusilli) or penne or rotini (450g)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts, season with half of the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the twisted pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
- Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Lower the heat and gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, remaining Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the creamy, flavorful pasta.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor; pre-grated cheese may not melt as smoothly.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted based on your heat preference.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it thickens too much.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, garlic chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, fusilli alfredo chicken, easy chicken pasta recipe