Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, delicious meal you can make at home instead of going out to eat. You’ll love the flavorful bites of tender chicken and garlicky cheese sauce.
You’re going to want to add this recipe to your meal plan!
One of my favorite things to order out is fettuccini alfredo with chicken, and this garlic parmesan chicken pasta is a bit of a riff on that. You’re going to love how simple this is to make!
Ingredients
This is meant to be a brief overview of this great recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
- Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken breast cut into pieces. For a shortcut, use about 3 cups of pulled chicken or rotisserie chicken instead.
- Pasta: I like to use fettuccini or spaghetti, but any pasta will work, including short kinds like rotini or penne.
- Fresh Garlic: Mince the garlic fine—two cloves of garlic amounts to about the same as two teaspoons.
- Garlic Powder: While fresh garlic is used in the garlic parmesan sauce, garlic powder is used to season the chicken.
- Italian Seasoning: You can use homemade Italian seasoning or store-bought mix. This typically includes basil, oregano, garlic, thyme, and onion powder.
- Olive Oil: I like balanced olive oil that’s not too bitter or pungent for this dish. If using precooked chicken, skip the olive oil.
- Parmesan Cheese: For the best texture and flavor, use freshly grated parmesan cheese. (My personal favorite is Parmigiano-Reggiano.) Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly.
- Unsalted Butter: I used unsalted butter so that you can control the saltiness of your meal. Salted butter will also work, however.
- Heavy Cream: You may see this labeled in your grocery store as heavy whipping cream instead of just heavy cream and that’s fine.
- Black Pepper and Kosher Salt: Taste the dish at the end and add more seasoning as desired. You can also substitute white pepper instead of black pepper, which is milder and earthier.
- Fresh Parsley: This optional garnish adds some freshness to the pasta dish. You could also use fresh basil or skip the garnish altogether.
Optional: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Ang’s Tips
✔️ For a faster version, use shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken seasoned with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese called for in the recipe card.
✔️ It’s important to use fresh parmesan cheese; it will literally make or break the dish. That’s because pre-grated cheeses often have additives to help them from clumping, which means they don’t melt as nicely. It also affects the taste of the cheese.
Storage
I find that this pasta dish is best served immediately, but it can be stored and reheated also.
To Store: Leftover parmesan garlic chicken pasta should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until heated throughout. To reheat a larger amount on the stove top, add a little dash of cream to a skillet over medium-low heat and toss the pasta until warmed throughout.
Variations
This garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe has been tested exactly as you see it written, which is why we recommend you make it exactly as you see it listed on the recipe card below. However, there are a handful of variations that you might like to consider. Please note we have not tested all these variations.
- Add in a cup of chopped spinach.
- Stir in 2 cups of lightly steamed broccoli or chopped mushrooms.
- For a gluten-free meal, use gluten free pasta.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of chicken stock to thin it out.
Out of something you need? Check out our free ingredient substitutions printable!
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this hearty meal with a little extra parmesan cheese on top. It is delicious with a fresh green salad on the side. If you’re a carb lover like me, add some Italian breadsticks, garlic cheese bombs, or Dutch oven cheese bread.
Similar Recipes
If you love creamy pasta dishes, you have to try our angel chicken and pasta and ranch mac and cheese! You’ll also love these delicious recipes:
Related: Monterey spaghetti
Not ready to make this easy recipe yet?
When you do make it, please come back and comment and leave me a 5-star rating below! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
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Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced about 2 teaspoons
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz fettuccine or spaghetti
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped optional
Instructions
Chicken
- Season the chicken with with salt, pepper, and seasonings. Toss to coat.2 boneless, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Add the chicken to the skillet. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure the chicken pieces are browned on all sides.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Sprinkle chicken with parmesan cheese.1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Sauce
- While the chicken is cooking, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package of pasta.8 oz fettuccine
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt butter over medium heat.2 tablespoons butter
- Add the garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden.2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- Add in the sauce ingredients and cook for 5 minutes to thicken, stirring constantly.1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Taste the sauce and add additional seasoning as desired.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat.
- Add in the chicken on top of the pasta.
- Garnish with additional parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Notes
Shortcut
For a faster version, use shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken seasoned with the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese called for the chicken section of the recipe card.
