Description
This Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful weeknight meal featuring tender seared chicken breasts and al dente twisted pasta delivered in a rich, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this dish promises a deliciously creamy pasta you’ll crave every week.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large Chicken breasts, boneless skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 lb (450g) Twisted pasta (fusilli) or penne, rotini
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter, divided
- 4-5 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.
- Prepare & Cook Chicken: Pat the chicken cubes dry, season them with salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Garlic Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining Italian seasoning and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, then gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth, taking care not to boil after adding the cheese.
- Combine & Serve: Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together to coat well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water helps loosen the sauce for a perfect creamy texture.
- Do not boil the sauce after adding Parmesan cheese to prevent curdling.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting quality.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with thighs if preferred, adjusting cooking time slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 625 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
