Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Easy 30-Minute Dinner!)

Introduction

If you crave a comforting, flavor-packed meal that can come together in a flash, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the answer. Rich with mellow Parmesan, infused with aromatic garlic, and tossed with tender chicken and pasta, this crowd-pleaser is as perfect for busy weeknights as it is for last-minute entertaining. Ready in just 30 minutes, it delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This pasta ticks every box: fast, creamy, and properly satisfying. The irresistibly silky sauce, loaded with Parmesan, clings to every bite of pasta and chicken for maximum flavor. With just the right amount of garlic and a kiss of Italian seasoning, this dish is guaranteed to impress without requiring hours in the kitchen.

How to Achieve the Perfect Creamy Sauce

The key to a rich, decadent sauce is using a combination of cream, Parmesan, and pasta cooking water. Sautéing garlic in butter unlocks big flavor, while heavy cream creates a luscious base. Adding starchy pasta water helps the sauce coat every piece evenly—don’t skip this step! Finish with a generous splash of grated Parmesan for irresistible cheesiness.

How to Put It All Together

Cook the pasta just until al dente for perfect texture. While the pasta cooks, sauté seasoned chicken until golden and cooked through. Next, build your sauce right in the pan, letting the flavors meld together before tossing everything gently. The result: fork-twirling, soul-hugging pasta in every bite.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with a side of crisp green salad or steamed broccoli to add freshness and balance. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil makes for a beautiful finish. For extra indulgence, add a slice of garlic bread on the side and let the rich sauce do double-duty as a dip.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 generous portions, each providing approximately 500 to 550 calories, depending on the amount of cheese and cream used. Packed with protein and filling carbs, it’s comfort food made easy.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Recap)

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is your ticket to a quick, comforting, and restaurant-worthy dinner. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor—perfect for a stress-free weeknight or whenever you want a satisfying meal without the fuss.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless meal planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Add chicken to hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add butter and reduce heat to medium. Sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
6. Stir in cooked chicken. Add drained pasta and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your preferred creaminess.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. If you’d like some heat, add crushed red pepper flakes.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley or basil. Pair with a side salad or garlic bread if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This one-pan, crowd-pleasing pasta is ideal for easy, flexible weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to plan exactly when you’ll make it, and generate a consolidated shopping list that gathers all the ingredients you’ll need for your week.

Planning Benefits:

• Combines ingredients from all scheduled recipes so you buy exactly what you need
• Sorts shopping lists by grocery section, making your trip faster and more organized
• Helps avoid buying duplicates and missing key items
• Makes meal prep simple by showing when to prep and cook

Pro tip: Schedule this pasta along with other meals to efficiently handle overlapping ingredients. For instance, if planning another meal that uses chicken or herbs, CookifyAI will calculate the total amounts required—saving you time, money, and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes