Description
Indulge in creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta, featuring tender chicken, a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. This quick, customizable recipe is perfect for weeknights or dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- 12 oz pasta (e.g., fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (optional, for sauce consistency)
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Extra grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine:
- Slice the chicken into strips.
- Toss the pasta in the sauce, using reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
- Arrange chicken slices over the pasta.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables like broccoli.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet, adding cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy garlic Parmesan pasta, chicken pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, garlic Parmesan sauce, quick weeknight pasta