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Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A close-up shot of creamy chicken pasta being lifted high on a fork, topped with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
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Make this ultimate creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta for a comforting weeknight dinner. It is surprisingly simple to prepare and delivers rich, cheesy flavor every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
  9. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one splash at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  10. Stir in the fresh parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a brighter flavor, add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the sauce when you add the heavy cream.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker meat.
  • Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best melt and flavor in your cream sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-pasta/