If you’re craving a restaurant-worthy dinner that’s surprisingly quick and easy, look no further than The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe. This creamy, lemony, ultra-cozy pasta is loaded with tender chicken and blanketed in a silky parmesan sauce, making every bite honestly irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy, Yet Fresh: The sauce is decadently creamy but brightened up with lemon juice and zest, so it never feels too heavy.
- Fast and Weeknight-Friendly: You can have The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe on the table in just 25 minutes—a real lifesaver for busy days!
- Restaurant Flavor at Home: Simple, affordable ingredients come together for a dish that tastes gourmet—no fancy skills or equipment required.
- Truly Customizable: From choosing your favorite pasta shape to swapping herbs or adding veggies, this creamy chicken pasta is easy to make your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This ingredient list may be short, but each item is crucial—every component brings something special, whether that’s richness, fragrance, or a burst of brightness. Let’s walk through what you’ll need to create The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe, and why each bit matters.
- Pasta: Use dried or fresh pasta—short shapes (like penne) or classic linguine both work. The pasta is your saucy canvas!
- Chicken breast: Flattening the chicken means you get super juicy, evenly cooked pieces that won’t dry out.
- Olive oil: This brings a hint of fruitiness and helps the chicken brown beautifully.
- Flour: A light dusting creates a golden, flavorful crust on the chicken—plus, it helps thicken the sauce later.
- Butter: Adds that unmatchable richness to the garlic and rosemary base.
- Garlic cloves: Don’t skimp—garlic infuses the whole dish with irresistible aroma and flavor.
- Fresh rosemary: Roughly chopped, it brings pops of herby sharpness and fragrance.
- Cream: The heart of the sauce—choose heavy or thickened cream for that velvety finish.
- Black pepper: For a gentle kick and warmth in every forkful.
- Lemon juice: Brightens things up, cutting through the richness so each bite feels fresh.
- Parmesan: Very finely grated so it melts perfectly into the sauce, adding salty, nutty depth.
- Lemon zest & extra rosemary: For that final flourish of citrus and color just before serving.
Variations
The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe is wonderfully flexible, so don’t hesitate to make it your own! Whether you’re adding veggies, swapping proteins, or catering to dietary needs, a few tweaks can create a whole new favorite.
- Add Veggies: Toss in baby spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra bursts of flavor and color.
- Go Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta and swap the flour for a gluten-free blend to suit dietary needs.
- Try Different Herbs: Replace rosemary with thyme, basil, or even sage for a unique twist each time you cook.
- Lighter Version: Use half-and-half or light cream for a lighter (but still creamy) result, or try Greek yogurt stirred in off the heat.
- Add Heat: Sprinkle in chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne for those who love a little kick.
How to Make The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta Just Right
Start by boiling your pasta in well-salted water—think “salty as the sea.” Undercook by about a minute, since it’ll finish cooking in the sauce. Don’t forget to reserve a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining; it’s liquid gold for the sauce’s silky texture later!
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Lay your chicken breast on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and gently pound it to about 1–1.5cm thickness. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides, then lightly dust with flour. This simple move ensures a juicy bite, maximum flavor, and a beautifully crisp golden exterior.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
In a hot skillet with olive oil, cook the chicken for 2 minutes per side—or until perfectly golden and just cooked through. Wrap in foil and set aside to rest—this step keeps all those lovely juices right where you want them!
Step 4: Make That Dreamy Cream Sauce
Add butter to the same pan, reduce heat to medium, and gently sauté the garlic for a minute—don’t let it brown! Next, stir in the rosemary and cook for another 30 seconds, releasing all that herby fragrance. Pour in the cream, bring to a gentle simmer (not a boil), and gradually add the parmesan, stirring well after each addition until melted and smooth. Finish with black pepper and a quick splash of lemon juice for brightness.
Step 5: Combine Everything and Serve
Add about ¼ cup reserved pasta water to the sauce, letting it simmer gently until thickened just a bit. Toss in the pasta and let everything bubble together for another minute or two. Slice the rested chicken, then serve the pasta with chicken on top—or toss it all through if you prefer! Finish with extra rosemary, fresh lemon zest, and a shower of parmesan for true perfection.
Pro Tips for Making The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Velvety Sauce Secrets: Always add the parmesan slowly and off the boil—this keeps the sauce smooth and prevents clumping.
- Pasta Water Magic: Don’t skip the starchy reserved pasta water; it gives the sauce body and helps coat every strand beautifully.
- Chicken Rest Rule: Resting the chicken in foil locks in juiciness, so you get tender slices every time.
- Finish With Freshness: Lemon zest and a sprinkle of rosemary right at the end brighten up the creamy sauce for a beautifully balanced dish.
How to Serve The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
This dish absolutely shines with a handful of fresh garnishes. Scatter extra rosemary leaves and lots of lemon zest on top to bring out the sauce’s brightness. For true luxury, finish with a generous flurry of finely grated parmesan. A twist of black pepper on top makes it pop!
Side Dishes
The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe is filling on its own, but pairing it with crisp-tender green beans, a peppery arugula salad, or crusty garlic bread is pure perfection. Fresh sides provide welcome contrast and make the meal feel even more special.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun dinner party, serve the creamy pasta in individual bowls with the chicken fanned on top and those colorful garnishes. Or, toss everything together and plate it family-style in a gorgeous serving bowl, letting everyone dig in together—because creamy chicken pasta is all about big, shared moments!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you’re making it for meal prep, store the sauce and pasta separately for maximum freshness!
Freezing
While creamy sauces don’t always freeze perfectly, you can freeze this dish in a pinch. The sauce may separate after thawing, but a careful reheat (with a splash of cream or milk) will bring back most of the creaminess. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of cream, milk, or reserved pasta water to revive the sauce. Stir constantly as it warms for the creamiest, silkiest results—just remember, low and slow is best with creamy sauces!
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Absolutely! Skinless, boneless chicken thighs work just as well and stay extra juicy. Just adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs may need another minute or two in the pan.
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What kind of cream is best for The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe?
Heavy cream or thickened cream delivers the most luscious, silky sauce—but you can use light cream or even half-and-half for a lighter take. Avoid single cream or milk, as they won’t thicken as nicely.
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How do I prevent the sauce from becoming grainy or separating?
Be sure to keep the heat gentle when adding the parmesan—never let the sauce boil. Add cheese gradually, stirring constantly, to encourage it to melt smoothly into the cream.
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Which pasta shapes are best for creamy chicken pasta?
Short shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni catch the creamy sauce in every bite, but you can also use classic linguine, fettucine, or whatever you have on hand. Fresh or dried—both shine here!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a weeknight marvel that tastes like a hug from your favorite Italian restaurant, The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe is it. I hope you give it a try and fall in love bite after bite. Happy cooking, and be sure to share your creamy creations with someone you love!
Print
The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 people 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Indulge in the best creamy chicken pasta you’ve ever tasted! This rich and flavorful dish is a perfect blend of tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy parmesan sauce that will have you coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 200 grams dried pasta or 300 grams fresh pasta
Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 x chicken breast (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon flour
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup cream
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 50 grams parmesan, very finely grated
- Lemon zest and extra rosemary to finish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta until just undercooked, then drain and reserve a cup of pasta water.
- Prepare the chicken: Flatten and season the chicken, dust with flour, then fry in olive oil.
- Make the sauce: Cook garlic and rosemary in butter, then add cream, parmesan, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Combine: Add pasta water, cooked pasta, and simmer with the sauce.
- Serve: Slice the chicken and serve on top of or mixed into the pasta. Garnish with rosemary, lemon zest, and more parmesan.
Notes
- For a quicker option, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
