Weeknight dinners just got easier with Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken, a rich, creamy dish that's ready in just 30 minutes. Made with simple ingredients, it's perfect for busy families craving a comforting meal. Tender, seasoned chicken is tossed in a Parmesan cream sauce with perfectly cooked pasta, creating a dish that's both kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
If you enjoyed this creamy pasta dish, you will love our marry me chicken tortellini, another flavorful, easy-to-make pasta perfect for weeknights.
Quick Summary
- Time: 30 minutes from start to finish
- Flavor: Rich, creamy, and garlicky parmesan goodness
- Pasta: Farfalle cooked al dente; tosses easily with sauce
- Kid-Friendly: Mild and creamy, with the option to add some spice for adults.
- Make-Ahead: Reheats well with a splash of milk to restore creaminess
- Serve With: Garlic bread, side salad, or roasted vegetables
Summarize and Save This Content On
This is one of those dinners I make when I need something reliable that the whole family will eat without complaint. The combination of tender chicken, garlic, and freshly grated parmesan in a creamy sauce makes it feel like true comfort food, even though it's made with simple pantry staples and ready in just 30 minutes.
If you love easy, comforting pasta dinners, you'll also want to try our fettuccine alfredo and creamy Tuscan sausage pasta.
Why This Is Our Favorite Weeknight Chicken Pasta
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the dinner we turn to again and again. It's easy to make, uses budget-friendly pantry ingredients, and delivers that rich, creamy flavor everyone loves. Most importantly, it's family-friendly and ready quickly, which makes busy nights feel a lot easier.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut the chicken into small, even, bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly and browns evenly.
- Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for bold flavor in this chicken garlic parmesan pasta. If you love garlicky pasta dishes, you'll also want to try our garlic butter pasta for another flavorful, easy dinner.
- Heavy Cream: This creates a rich, smooth sauce and helps form a stable base for the cheese. Full-fat cream works best for a creamy texture.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Fresh Parmesan melts smoothly into the sauce, giving this creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta its signature cheesy flavor.
- Farfalle Pasta: The bowtie shape holds creamy sauce well, but you can use other short pasta shapes. Cook it just al dente so it finishes cooking gently when tossed with the sauce and stays tender, not soft.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten‑Free Option: Swap the farfalle for your favorite gluten‑free pasta to keep this dish accessible for gluten sensitivities.
- Rotisserie Chicken Swap: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw breast pieces to save time and make this a super quick dinner. Add it in when you toss with the sauce so it warms through without drying out.
- Veggie Boost: Add chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes, or thinly sliced zucchini directly into the sauce. These vegetables cook quickly in the hot sauce, adding color, nutrients, and texture without extra prep.
- Protein Swap: Replace the chicken with shrimp, cooked Italian sausage, or even diced turkey for a different take on this garlic Parmesan pasta. Adjust cooking times as needed to keep the protein tender and flavorful.
- Spicy Kick: Add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce for a bit of heat.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken
This parmesan chicken pasta comes together quickly with just a few simple steps. Have a large pot of salted water ready for the pasta and a large skillet for the sauce before you begin.
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water to help loosen the sauce later if needed.
- Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken. Toss the chicken pieces with the seasonings until evenly coated. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and cook the chicken in a single layer until it is golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Step 3: Cook the Aromatics. In the same skillet, melt the butter and cook the onion until it is soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add the Cream. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently simmer, then slowly whisk in the parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Combine and Finish. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water. Serve warm with our homemade garlic knots for a quick and easy family dinner.
Expert Tips
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Always grate your own Parmesan for the smoothest, creamiest sauce. Pre-shredded cheese can make the sauce grainy due to anti-caking agents.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Stop cooking the pasta just before it's fully tender. This prevents it from becoming mushy when tossed with the hot sauce.
- Even Chicken Pieces: Cut the chicken into evenly sized, bite-sized pieces, so it cooks quickly and browns evenly, giving the best flavor and texture.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Save about ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Adding a splash to the sauce can loosen it if it gets too thick and keep the pasta silky.
- Control the Heat: Keep the skillet at medium heat when adding cream and cheese. Too high heat can make the sauce separate, so whisk gently and gradually incorporate the cheese.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the cream sauce may separate when thawed.
Serving Suggestions
- This garlic parmesan chicken pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Serve it with a simple Caesar salad and sheet pan breadsticks.
- It works well for family gatherings or casual dinner parties; serve it alongside savory green beans with bacon and finish the meal with a sweet treat like our peanut butter pretzel pie.
- Perfect for meal prep or enjoying as leftovers, this dish reheats well and pairs great with our creamy cucumber salad for a quick and refreshing lunch.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and cook the chicken a day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Heat the sauce on the stove over medium-low heat, add the chicken, and cook until heated through. Toss with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve for the best texture.
You can substitute milk or half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce may be thinner.
Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce's creaminess without drying out the pasta. Avoid the microwave which may overcook and cause the sauce to break.
More Delicious Chicken and Pasta Dishes
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Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- 3 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 pound farfalle pasta uncooked
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of water and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- In a bowl, add chicken, black pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Toss to coat.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 7-8 minutes until fully cooked through and no longer pink. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Melt the butter, then add the onions, and cook until soft and translucent. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, stirring occasionally until it starts to bubble lightly. Whisk in Parmesan cheese slowly until melted. Then, whisk in black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper. pepper.
- Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
Notes
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces to ensure it cooks quickly and browns evenly.
- Cook pasta just until al dente so it holds up when tossed with the sauce.
- Add cheese gradually to the warm cream to prevent the sauce from separating.
- Reserve a bit of pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
My go to recipe when I want a yummy pastat that is creamy with lots of flavor.