,Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (30-Minute Recipe!) Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a quick and comforting 30-minute meal featuring tender, seared chicken and perfectly cooked fusilli pasta tossed in a rich, velvety garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan recipe combines wholesome ingredients and simple steps for a deliciously satisfying dinner that feels both luxurious and easy to make.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American, Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
Pasta
- 1 lb twisted pasta (fusilli) or penne/rotini
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (divided, half for chicken, half for sauce)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Cook pasta & sear chicken: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Meanwhile, pat chicken cubes dry and season with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning. Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and sear 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Make garlic-Parmesan sauce: Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt remaining 2 Tbsp butter. Add minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes; cook 30-60 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and remaining Italian seasoning. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety.
- Toss & serve: Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and gently toss to coat everything evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts smoother than pre-shredded varieties and prevents a grainy sauce.
- For extra flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end or substitute 1/4 cup cream with dry white wine (simmer 1 minute after deglazing).
- Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken; cook in batches if necessary to get a golden crust.
- Cook garlic only until fragrant (30–60 seconds) to avoid a bitter taste.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to loosen sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 750 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: 30-minute pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy parmesan sauce, garlic parmesan chicken pasta, one-pan pasta, Weeknight Dinner