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Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A delicious creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken and a garlic Parmesan sauce that's sure to please everyone at the table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 large Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes Pat dry before cooking for better searing.
  • 1 lb Twisted pasta (fusilli), penne, or rotini Cook until al dente.
  • 3 Tbsp Unsalted butter, divided
  • 4–5 cloves Fresh garlic, minced Fresh garlic is recommended.
  • 1.5 cups Heavy cream For a lighter version, substitute with half-and-half or plant-based cream.
  • 0.5 cup Chicken broth
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated preferred.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
  • 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes, optional
  • Fine salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until al dente per package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water; drain.
  2. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and ½ tsp Italian seasoning.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate while keeping the juices in the skillet.
Making the Sauce
  1. Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 Tbsp of butter. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in heavy cream and the remaining ½ tsp Italian seasoning. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  3. Reduce heat to low and gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted and the sauce is velvety smooth.
Combining
  1. Return the chicken (along with any juices) to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, stir in splashes of reserved pasta water until the sauce is glossy and clings to the pasta.
Finishing Touches
  1. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

This dish is best served hot. Consider pairing it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For extra flavor, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese or crushed red pepper flakes on top before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days.