Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (30-Minute Recipe!) Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious 30-minute meal featuring tender chicken cubes, twisted pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce made from heavy cream, fresh garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, the dish balances savory Italian seasoning with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes, garnished with fresh parsley for color and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (half of the total 1 tsp)
Pasta
- 1 lb twisted pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini)
- Salt, for boiling pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter (divided: 1 Tbsp for chicken, 2 Tbsp for sauce)
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (remaining half)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta & sear chicken: Boil the pasta in generously salted water until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain. Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry and season it with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken cubes for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- Make garlic-Parmesan sauce: Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet. Stir in heavy cream and the remaining Italian seasoning, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss & serve: Return the cooked chicken along with any juices back to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Gently toss to coat everything evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add splashes of the reserved pasta water to achieve a silky texture that clings well. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese ensures the sauce melts smoothly and avoids graininess.
- Reserve pasta water is essential for adjusting the sauce consistency and helping it cling to the pasta.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat to complement the creamy sauce.
- Chicken breasts are cut into 1-inch cubes for quick cooking and even coating in sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a slightly thinner sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, 30-minute pasta recipe, easy chicken pasta, creamy pasta sauce, garlic Parmesan sauce
