Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe for a Healthy Dinner

Introduction

Looking for a healthy dinner that satisfies your cravings for comfort food while keeping prep simple? This Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe delivers a hearty, flavor-packed meal with tender chicken, whole grain pasta, and a luscious, creamy sauce infused with garlic and Parmesan. It’s a wholesome weeknight option that’s easy enough to make after a busy day, yet elegant enough for guests.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This recipe brings together the nutty richness of Parmesan, the aromatic punch of garlic, and lean, protein-rich chicken in a quick, one-pan meal. The use of whole grain or protein-enriched pasta boosts the fiber and nutrients, while a lighter sauce keeps things fresh and satisfying. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a perfect way to make healthy eating absolutely delicious.

Perfecting the Flavorful Garlic Parmesan Sauce

The secret to an amazing Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta lies in a balanced sauce. Begin by gently sautéing fresh garlic until just golden to unlock its sweetness. Add a splash of low-sodium chicken broth, then finish with a modest amount of Parmesan, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. This keeps the sauce creamy without being heavy, adding layers of flavor that cling to every bite.

Assembling Your Pasta for Maximum Taste

After cooking the chicken and pasta, toss everything together in the skillet with your creamy Parmesan sauce. Allow the hot pasta to finish absorbing the flavors, and don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil for color and freshness. This method ensures that every forkful is packed with healthy, comforting flavor.

Tasty Serving Suggestions

Plate your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with a side of roasted or steamed vegetables for a nutrient boost. Consider a crisp green salad or zoodles to lighten the meal. Top with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper before serving. For meal prepping, portion into containers for the week—this dish reheats beautifully for satisfying leftover lunches.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 and, when prepared with whole grain pasta and Greek yogurt, each serving provides roughly 400–450 calories, 32g protein, and a generous dose of fiber and vitamins. It’s balanced enough for a light dinner and makes a smart addition to any meal plan.

Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Recap)

In just one pan and a handful of ingredients, you get a robustly flavored meal that checks all the boxes: easy, healthy, and totally craveworthy. Your family, or even the pickiest eaters, will ask for seconds!

💡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 meal planning.

Instructions

1. Season the diced chicken breasts on all sides with salt and pepper.
2. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook chicken pieces until golden and cooked through (about 6 minutes). Remove to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
4. Add chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce heat to medium.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
6. Add drained pasta and cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in Parmesan, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
7. Finish with fresh parsley or basil and, if desired, a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is an excellent addition to your weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to seamlessly organize your week, auto-generate consolidated shopping lists, and coordinate dinner prep with zero stress.

Planning Benefits:

• Totals up ingredients across recipes for streamlined shopping
• Organizes grocery lists by store section (never miss an item!)
• Prevents overbuying and food waste
• Helps stick to your healthy eating goals, even on busy nights

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes in CookifyAI to see ingredient overlaps—saving you money and simplifying meal prep all week long.

Cook and Prep Times

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

Enjoy a healthy, creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta for dinner, and let CookifyAI make your weekly meal planning effortless and organized!