This Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Tender chicken breast, silky parmesan cream sauce, fresh rosemary, and bright lemon come together to create a restaurant-quality pasta dish at home. It’s rich, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and creamy parmesan sauce with fresh herbs
- Easy enough for weeknight cooking
- Balanced flavors with lemon and rosemary
- Family-friendly and satisfying
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for both fresh and dried pasta
Ingredients
- 200 grams dried pasta or 300 grams fresh pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup cream
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 50 grams parmesan, finely grated
- Lemon zest, for garnish
- Extra rosemary leaves, for garnish
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just under al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Flatten the chicken breast to an even thickness using plastic wrap and a rolling pin.
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper, then lightly coat with flour.
- Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked. Remove and lightly cover with foil.
- Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pan. Add the garlic and cook gently for 1 minute without browning.
- Stir in the rosemary and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the parmesan cheese gradually, stirring between each addition until smooth and melted.
- Mix in the black pepper and lemon juice.
- Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce and let it bubble gently for another minute. Add more pasta water if needed.
- Slice the chicken and serve over the creamy pasta or toss it through the sauce.
- Finish with lemon zest, rosemary leaves, and extra parmesan.
Tips & Tricks
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
- Do not boil the cream sauce aggressively or it may split.
- Reserve extra pasta water to loosen the sauce later.
- Fresh rosemary gives the best flavor, but dried rosemary can work in smaller amounts.
- Swap chicken breast for boneless chicken thighs for extra richness.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Nut-free
Notes
- Linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti all work beautifully in this Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe.
- Add spinach or peas for extra vegetables.
- For a lighter sauce, replace part of the cream with milk.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 36g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fat: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 410mg
FAQ
Can I make this Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe ahead of time?
Yes, but the sauce is best freshly made. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or pasta water.
What pasta works best?
Fettuccine, linguine, tagliatelle, or penne are excellent choices.
Can I use milk instead of cream?
You can, though the sauce will be thinner and less rich.
How do I keep the sauce smooth?
Use low heat and add the parmesan gradually while stirring continuously.
Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely. Spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, or peas pair wonderfully with this dish.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
The chicken freezes well, but cream sauces can separate slightly after thawing.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Warm slowly on the stovetop with a splash of cream, milk, or pasta water to refresh the sauce.
Similar Recipes
Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe with parmesan, garlic, and rosemary.Tender chicken tossed in a rich lemon cream sauce.Easy 30-minute dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 200 grams dried pasta or 300 grams fresh pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves roughly chopped
- ¾ cup cream
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 50 grams parmesan finely grated
- Lemon zest for garnish
- Extra rosemary leaves for garnish
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just under al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Flatten the chicken breast to an even thickness using plastic wrap and a rolling pin.
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper, then lightly coat with flour.
- Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked. Remove and lightly cover with foil.
- Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pan. Add the garlic and cook gently for 1 minute without browning.
- Stir in the rosemary and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the parmesan cheese gradually, stirring between each addition until smooth and melted.
- Mix in the black pepper and lemon juice.
- Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce and let it bubble gently for another minute. Add more pasta water if needed.
- Slice the chicken and serve over the creamy pasta or toss it through the sauce.
- Finish with lemon zest, rosemary leaves, and extra parmesan.
Notes
- Linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti all work beautifully in this Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe.
- Add spinach or peas for extra vegetables.
- For a lighter sauce, replace part of the cream with milk.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
Conclusion
This Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe delivers everything you want in a comforting pasta dinner: juicy chicken, silky parmesan sauce, fragrant rosemary, and bright lemon flavor. It’s simple enough for busy evenings but elegant enough to impress guests. Once you try it, it may become one of your favorite homemade pasta recipes.