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

Introduction

If you’re searching for a satisfying dinner that combines bold flavor with simplicity, look no further than Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. With its velvety sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish delivers restaurant-style results—all in just 30 minutes. It’s a crowd pleaser, ideal for busy weeknights or when you need to impress with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

What sets this recipe apart is the irresistible marriage of golden sautéed chicken, aromatic garlic, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. The secret is in the sauce: plenty of fresh garlic, a hint of Italian seasoning, and loads of freshly grated Parmesannever the jarred stuff. The pasta soaks up every drop of flavor, making each bite seriously crave-worthy. Plus, everything comes together in one skillet for easy cleanup.

How to Achieve the Creamiest Garlic Parmesan Sauce

To guarantee a perfectly smooth, creamy sauce, whisk together heavy cream and finely grated parmesan right after sautéing your garlic. Keep your heat low to avoid curdling, and let the sauce simmer gently until thickened. This way, every strand of pasta is enveloped in rich silky flavor, while the chicken stays juicy and tender.

Bringing Your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Together

After preparing your chicken and sauce, simply toss in your choice of pasta (such as fettuccine or penne) and let everything mingle in the pan. Finish with a sprinkle of extra parmesan and a touch of fresh parsley for color. For an optional touch, add baby spinach, steamed broccoli, or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra boost of nutrition and flavor.

Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Meal

This pasta is satisfying on its own, but also pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a full Italian-inspired dinner. It’s hearty enough for a special weekend meal yet quick enough for a Monday night. Garnish with fresh cracked black pepper, chili flakes, or even lemon zest for extra zing.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe generously serves 4. Each serving offers around 550–600 calories, depending on the choice of pasta and whether you opt for extra add-ins. It’s a balanced meal with protein, carbs, and just enough decadence to satisfy.

💡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. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute, fragrant but not browned.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Add in the Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
6. Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. For extra color and nutrition, stir in baby spinach or sun-dried tomatoes at this point, cooking until just wilted/heated through.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with additional parmesan and fresh parsley before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a meal prep superstar for busy schedules—it reheats beautifully and keeps its flavor and texture. Save and schedule this recipe to map out your weeknight dinners and generate a consolidated shopping list alongside your other planned meals.

**Planning Benefits:**

• Automatically calculates ingredient totals across multiple recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by store section for easy, speedy shopping
• Eliminates duplicate ingredients and helps prevent forgotten items
• Makes meal prepping and batch cooking a breeze

Pro tip: If you use chicken or spinach in several meals across the week, CookifyAI automatically adjusts your shopping list—saving you time, money, and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

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

Enjoy a restaurant-quality dinner in just 30 minutes—simple, creamy, and irresistibly delicious!