Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

When you crave a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen, this Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe is the answer. Rich, luscious sauce wraps around tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, creating a one-pan wonder that’s as simple as it is satisfying. Whether you’re feeding a busy family on a weeknight or want to impress unexpected guests, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Why This Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Is a Must-Try

This recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—creamy without being heavy, packed with protein, and totally customizable. The harmonious blend of garlic, parmesan, and juicy chicken absorbs beautifully into the pasta, ensuring each bite bursts with flavor. Plus, it uses everyday ingredients you probably already have on hand, making it perfect for last-minute meal planning.

How to Achieve the Perfect Creamy Sauce

The secret to the creamiest sauce is simple: build flavor by sautéing garlic before adding a splash of chicken broth, then stir in heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan. Letting the sauce simmer gently thickens it to velvety perfection. Tossing the cooked pasta directly into the pan with the sauce and chicken ensures every noodle gets perfectly coated.

Easy Assembly and Customizations

Once your sauce is ready, combine it with cooked pasta and pan-seared chicken. From here, you can add vegetables like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra color and nutrients. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs for brightness. This recipe welcomes swaps—try using penne, fettuccine, or gluten-free pasta based on your preference.

Serving Suggestions: Making Your Creamy Chicken Pasta Sing

Serve this pasta hot and garnish with additional parmesan, freshly ground black pepper, and a handful of chopped parsley. Pair with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete, restaurant-quality meal at home. It’s equally delicious the next day, making it ideal for lunch leftovers or meal prep.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 generous portions, each providing around 550 calories. Protein-packed from the chicken, rich in calcium from the cheese, and satiating thanks to the pasta, it offers a balanced and indulgent dinner that doesn’t feel overly heavy.

Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe (Recap)

A smooth, garlicky cream sauce clings to pasta and juicy chicken—you can see why this dinner wins hearts (and taste buds) every time. Quick, versatile, and guaranteed to impress, it’s a staple for both busy weeknights and relaxing weekends.

💡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 streamlined meal planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. Sauté 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant (add a bit more oil if needed). Pour in chicken broth and let simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, remaining Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 3–4 minutes. Season to taste.
5. Return chicken to the skillet. Add optional vegetables now if using, and cook for 2 minutes until just wilted/warmed.
6. Add cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with more parmesan and fresh herbs.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta is a terrific addition to your weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to map out your week’s dinners and generate one master shopping list for all your meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically sums total ingredient quantities for multiple recipes
• Sorts your shopping list by store department for faster, easier trips
• Eliminates double-buying or overlooked items
• Keeps your weekly meal prep efficient and organized

Pro tip: When planning meals for the week, schedule your recipes together to maximize ingredient overlap (like using spinach or parmesan across several dishes), saving money and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

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