Name: Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: Quick & Cheesy Dinner
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing chicken); 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp paprika; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 12 oz fettuccine or preferred pasta shape; 2 tsp salt (for pasta water); 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tbsp olive oil (for sauce base); 1/2 jumbo yellow onion, diced (1 cup); 4-6 large cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional); 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta is a dish that truly embodies the magic of transforming simple, wholesome ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience. There’s something uniquely comforting about this combination, a blend of robust flavors that evokes memories of cozy family dinners and satisfying weeknight meals.

While not strictly an ancient recipe, its roots lie deeply in the tradition of Italian-American cooking, where humble yet potent ingredients like garlic, cheese, and pasta were elevated to create incredibly flavorful and fulfilling dishes designed to nourish and delight. I find that the irresistible aroma of sautéed garlic, mingling with the rich, nutty notes of Parmesan, sets the stage for a truly delightful meal.

Why We Adore This Dish: A Symphony of Flavors and Textures

Add to that the succulence of perfectly cooked chicken and the satisfying chew of al dente pasta, all enveloped in a luscious, often creamy, sauce, and it’s easy to see why this dish has become such a beloved staple. It’s the kind of meal that appeals to nearly everyone, offering a perfect balance of savory richness and delightful textures.

Whether you’re seeking a quick yet gourmet weeknight dinner or a show-stopping dish for guests, this particular combination of ingredients, truly a magnificent Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta, consistently delivers a heartwarming and unforgettable dining experience.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken cutlets
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for searing
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces fettuccine, linguine, or your preferred pasta shape (I find a flat, wide noodle really hugs the sauce beautifully)
- 2 teaspoons salt, for pasta water
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (that’s half a stick!)
- 8-10 cloves garlic, minced (yes, you read that right – this is “Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta” after all, so let’s get garlicky!)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups chicken broth, low sodium is always a good choice
- 1 cup heavy cream (for that luscious, rich texture)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving (freshly grated melts much better than pre-shredded)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, but I love the subtle warmth it adds)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
For Garnishing (Optional but Recommended):
- Additional fresh Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Extra chopped fresh parsley

Preparation Phase: Chicken

Prepare the Chicken: My first step for making the most amazing Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta is to get the chicken ready. If you’re using full chicken breasts, I recommend slicing them horizontally to create thinner cutlets, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. This ensures they cook more evenly and quickly. If your breasts are particularly thick, you might even want to pound them gently between two sheets of plastic wrap until they are uniform in thickness. This tenderizes the meat and helps it cook perfectly.
Season the Chicken: Next, you’ll want to pat the chicken cutlets thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step! Excess moisture on the surface of the chicken prevents it from getting a beautiful golden-brown sear, which adds a lot of flavor and texture to our Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta. In a small bowl, combine the 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder. Sprinkle this seasoning blend generously over both sides of the dried chicken cutlets, making sure they are well coated.
Sear the Chicken: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken cutlets into the pan in a single layer. You might need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which would steam the chicken instead of searing it. Allow the chicken to sear undisturbed for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust and is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken. The beautiful browned bits left in the pan after searing are called “fond” and they are packed with incredible flavor that will become the base for our luxurious garlic Parmesan sauce!
Rest and Slice the Chicken: Once cooked, transfer the seared chicken to a clean cutting board and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This resting period is super important! It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that every bite of your Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta is incredibly tender and juicy. After resting, slice the chicken against the grain into bite-sized pieces or strips, whatever you prefer. Set the sliced chicken aside.

Preparation Phase: Pasta & Sauce Base

Cook the Pasta: While your chicken is resting, it’s the perfect time to get the pasta going. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water. Don’t skip the salt; it’s the only chance you have to season the pasta itself! Add your chosen pasta (fettuccine or linguine are my favorites for this dish) to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until it is al dente. Al dente means “to the tooth” – it should be firm but still have a slight bite to it, not mushy. Overcooked pasta will fall apart in our rich sauce, and we want every strand to stand up to the creamy garlic goodness of our Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta.
Reserve Pasta Water: This is a secret weapon for any pasta dish! Before draining the pasta, carefully scoop out and reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water. This cloudy, salty liquid is incredibly useful for adjusting the consistency of your sauce later, helping it cling beautifully to the pasta and preventing it from becoming too thick or gloopy. It’s truly liquid gold for creating a perfectly emulsified sauce!
Drain the Pasta: Once you’ve reserved your pasta water, drain the cooked pasta in a colander. Do not rinse the pasta! The starch on the surface helps the sauce adhere better. Set the drained pasta aside.

Cooking Phase: Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Start the Sauce Base: Return the same large skillet (the one you used for the chicken, with all that delicious fond) to medium-low heat. Add the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and let it melt. Once the butter is melted and sizzling gently, add the 8-10 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Burnt garlic can turn bitter very quickly, and we want sweet, aromatic garlic as the star of our Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta.
Create the Roux: Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the fragrant garlic and melted butter. Whisk continuously for about 1 minute. This creates a roux, which will act as the thickening agent for our rich sauce. Cooking the flour for a minute helps to cook out the raw flour taste, ensuring your sauce is smooth and delicious.
Add Liquids: Gradually pour in the 1.5 cups of chicken broth, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. As you pour, use your whisk to scrape up any browned bits (the “fond”) from the bottom of the pan. These bits are pure flavor! Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, still whisking, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
Incorporate the Cream and Seasoning: Reduce the heat to low, then slowly pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring gently until it is fully combined. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for another 2-3 minutes, allowing it to warm through and thicken further to a beautiful, creamy consistency. Now is also the time to stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, if you’re using them. They provide a wonderful, subtle kick that complements the richness of the Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta without being overtly spicy.
Melt in the Parmesan: Remove the skillet from the heat. This is important when adding cheese to a cream sauce, as direct high heat can cause the Parmesan to clump or become grainy. Stir in the 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and incorporated, creating a velvety smooth sauce. The aroma filling your kitchen right now will be absolutely intoxicating!
Season and Adjust: Taste the sauce and season it generously with salt and black pepper as needed. Remember, both the chicken and pasta water were salted, so start with a little and add more if necessary. If the sauce seems too thick for your liking, whisk in a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water at a time until you reach your desired consistency. The starches in the pasta water will help the sauce emulsify beautifully and cling to every strand of pasta. This really takes your Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta to the next level!

Assembly & Finishing Touches

Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the garlic Parmesan sauce. Using tongs, gently toss the pasta, making sure every single strand is gloriously coated in that rich, creamy sauce.
Add Chicken Back: Return the sliced cooked chicken pieces to the pan with the pasta and sauce. Gently toss again, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly coated and warmed through by the sauce. This final combination brings all the wonderful flavors together for our perfect Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta.
Garnish and Serve: Ladle generous portions of the Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta into individual serving bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and, of course, a generous extra dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. You could even add a little more red pepper flake if you desire an extra pop of heat! Serve immediately and prepare for a truly satisfying and comforting meal. This dish is hearty and incredibly flavorful, making it an instant family favorite. Enjoy every garlicky, cheesy bite!

Conclusion:

If there’s one recipe I truly believe everyone needs in their culinary arsenal, it’s this one. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the journey to creating the perfect plate of Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta is as rewarding as the very first bite. We’ve explored how simple ingredients, when combined with a touch of love and the right technique, can transform into a dish that’s not just food, but a deeply satisfying experience. This isn’t just another dinner idea; it’s a comforting hug in a bowl, a vibrant symphony of flavors that manages to be both profoundly rich and incredibly approachable. The tender, juicy chicken, infused with a potent garlic-Parmesan marinade, nestled amongst perfectly al dente pasta, all coated in that velvety, irresistible sauce – it’s a culinary masterpiece that delivers on every single promise of flavor and comfort.

What truly makes this recipe a must-try is its remarkable ability to please almost any palate, making it an absolute winner for weeknight dinners and special occasions alike. It’s the kind of meal that elicits sighs of contentment from even the pickiest eaters, and I promise you, it will quickly become a cherished favorite in your household. It’s hearty without being heavy, flavorful without being overwhelming, and elegant without being complicated. I love how it brings people together around the table, sparking conversations and creating lasting memories. The aroma alone, as it simmers on your stovetop, is enough to get stomachs rumbling and anticipation building. It’s a testament to the power of simple, quality ingredients expertly combined.

Now, let’s talk about making this dish truly your own. While the core recipe is utterly fantastic as is, it’s also wonderfully versatile, inviting creative variations and serving suggestions to suit your mood and pantry. For a complete meal, I highly recommend serving this luscious pasta dish alongside a crisp, vibrant green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette – the acidity will beautifully cut through the richness of the sauce. A side of steamed asparagus, broccoli, or sautéed green beans would also add a lovely pop of color and freshness, balancing out the heartiness. And please, don’t forget a warm, crusty loaf of garlic bread or focaccia for soaking up every last drop of that amazing sauce; it’s practically mandatory!

When it comes to variations, the possibilities are truly endless. Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes; while fettuccine or penne are classic choices, rotini, farfalle, or even rigatoni would work beautifully, each offering a different texture and way to hold onto that glorious sauce. To boost the vegetable content, consider stirring in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking until just wilted. Sun-dried tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, or even finely diced bell peppers can add wonderful layers of flavor and visual appeal. If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce will add a delightful kick. For an even creamier consistency, a touch more cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream will do the trick. Or, if you’re looking for a slightly lighter version, you can always substitute some of the cream for chicken broth. For a different protein, cooked shrimp or Italian sausage would also be fantastic additions, transforming the dish entirely while maintaining its core deliciousness. Don’t forget a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil just before serving for an extra layer of freshness and color!

I genuinely can’t wait for you to experience the magic of this dish for yourself. This isn’t just about following a set of instructions; it’s about embracing the joy of cooking and sharing something truly special with those you care about. So, go ahead, gather your ingredients, put on your favorite music, and let the enticing aromas fill your kitchen. I promise you, making this Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Pasta will be a decision you won’t regret. Once you’ve made it, savored it, and perhaps even put your own unique spin on it, please come back and tell me all about your experience! Share your photos, your tweaks, your family’s reactions in the comments below. Your stories inspire me, and I love hearing how my recipes become a part of your culinary journey. Happy cooking, my friends!