Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights and cozy family dinners. Tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, garlic-infused cream sauce, and savory Parmesan cheese come together in a rich and satisfying meal that feels restaurant-worthy while being incredibly easy to make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, creamy, and packed with garlic flavor
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Made with simple pantry-friendly ingredients
- Family-friendly and perfect for weeknight dinners
- Delicious leftovers for lunch the next day
- Combines juicy chicken, Parmesan cheese, and pasta in every bite
Ingredients
- 10.5 oz (300 g) pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (20 g) unsalted butter
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium shallot, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup (75 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (200 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1–2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fully cooked through.
- Stir in the diced shallot and cook for 1 minute until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and stir well.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and stir continuously. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley until fully incorporated.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve your Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta immediately while hot and creamy.
Tips & Tricks
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
- Avoid overcooking the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Reserve extra pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for some of the heavy cream.
- Fresh garlic delivers the best flavor compared to garlic powder.
Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, family-friendly
Notes
- Penne, fettuccine, rigatoni, or spaghetti all work well in this recipe.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breast.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle kick of heat.
- Serve with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
- For extra richness, add a little more Parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
FAQ
Can I make Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the dish up to one day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream.
What pasta works best for this recipe?
Penne, rigatoni, fettuccine, and linguine are all excellent choices because they hold the creamy sauce well.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs provide extra flavor and remain very juicy.
How do I prevent the cream sauce from becoming too thick?
Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Can I add vegetables to this pasta?
Yes. Spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, peas, and sun-dried tomatoes pair beautifully with the creamy garlic sauce.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Cream-based sauces can sometimes separate after freezing, but the dish can be frozen for up to 2 months and reheated gently.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over low heat or microwave in short intervals, adding a splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth to restore the creamy texture.
Similar Recipes
Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 10.5 oz 300 g pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon 20 g unsalted butter
- 1 lb 450 g chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium shallot finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup 75 ml chicken broth
- 1 cup 200 ml heavy cream
- ½ cup 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh parsley chopped
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1–2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fully cooked through.
- Stir in the diced shallot and cook for 1 minute until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and stir well.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and stir continuously. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley until fully incorporated.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve your Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Penne, fettuccine, rigatoni, or spaghetti all work well in this recipe.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breast.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle kick of heat.
- Serve with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
- For extra richness, add a little more Parmesan cheese before serving.
Conclusion
This Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta delivers everything you want in a comforting homemade dinner—tender chicken, a velvety garlic cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta coated in rich Parmesan flavor. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight meal or serving guests, this easy recipe is guaranteed to become a regular favorite in your kitchen.