Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta: Easy and Irresistible Recipe

Name: Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoon olive oil Costabile Brand (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off); 1 ½ lb Springer mountain farms chicken breast; 1 ½ teaspoon paprika OliveNation; 1 ½ teaspoon oregano; 1 teaspoon garlic powder OliveNation; ½ teaspoon thyme; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon salt; 12 oz gluten free farfalle pasta; 4 tablespoon butter; 2 teaspoon dry shallots (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off); 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ cup chicken broth; 2 tablespoon Gluten Free 1:1 Flour; 3 cups heavy cream; 12 oz shredded parmesan; ¼ cup pasta water; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 tsp garlic powder

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You know that moment when garlic hits hot butter and suddenly your whole house smells like pure comfort? That’s exactly what happens when you make this Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta recipe that’s been trending online lately. It’s beginner-friendly, takes about 30 minutes, and delivers restaurant-quality results straight from your own kitchen.

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This is creamy, garlicky pasta perfection with tender chicken and plenty of that good Parmesan cheese we all love. Think of it as your favorite Italian restaurant dish, but made with simple ingredients you probably already have. It’s comfort food at its finest. Full details in the blog!

Saturday kitchen sessions with my daughters taught me that the best recipes are the ones you can make again and again without fuss. This one passed our family test with flying colors. I’ve tweaked the garlic ratio just righttrust me, you’ll taste the difference in every single bite.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe

Listen, I’ve made a lot of pasta dishes over the years, and this Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta hits differently. It’s that perfect balance of creamy, savory, and just garlicky enough without overwhelming anyone at the table. My youngest daughter calls it “restaurant fancy” but it honestly comes together faster than ordering takeout.

Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish
Uses everyday ingredients you likely have on hand
Scales up beautifully for family gatherings or meal prep
Gluten-free friendly with simple swaps

The best part? That moment when you toss everything together and watch the sauce coat each piece of pasta. Pure kitchen magic, and it happens every single time.

Key Ingredients That Make All the Difference

I’m pretty particular about my ingredients, especially for a dish this simple. When you’re working with just a handful of components, each one needs to pull its weight. The heavy cream creates that silky sauce base, while the shredded Parmesan melts in beautifully without any grittiness.

Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta plated with farfalle and grated cheese on white napkin beside clear water glass

Ingredient	Why It Matters	Easy Swap
Farfalle pasta	Those little pockets catch the sauce perfectly	Penne, fusilli, or rigatoni
Heavy cream	Creates the rich, silky sauce base	Half-and-half (thinner but still good)
Shredded Parmesan	Melts smoothly without clumps	Freshly grated (even better!)
Dry shallots	Adds sweet, mild onion flavor	Minced fresh garlic or onion powder

The spice blend for the chicken is where I get a little fancypaprika, oregano, thyme, and garlic powder create this gorgeous golden crust that tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.

How It All Comes Together

The magic happens in layers, just like building any good comfort food. First, you’ll season and cook that chicken until it’s golden and gorgeous. Don’t skip the resting stepit keeps everything juicy while you work on the sauce.

Season and sear the chicken breasts until golden brown
Cook pasta according to package directions (save that pasta water!)
Build the sauce with butter, shallots, flour, and cream
Fold everything together with cheese and pasta water

The flour might seem like a small detail, but it’s what keeps your sauce from breaking when you add the cheese. Pro tip: Keep that heat medium-low once the cream goes in. High heat and dairy don’t play nice together.

Step	Time	What to Watch For
Season & cook chicken	8-10 minutes	Golden brown crust, 165°F internal temp
Cook pasta	10-12 minutes	Al dente texture, reserve 1/4 cup pasta water
Make sauce	5-7 minutes	Smooth, no lumps, gentle simmer
Combine everything	2-3 minutes	Cheese melted, sauce coats pasta

When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Look, I’ve been there. Sometimes the sauce gets a little thick, or maybe you accidentally cranked the heat too high and things got wonky. Here’s how to save the day without starting over.

Sauce too thick? Add pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it loosens up
Sauce looks broken or curdled? Remove from heat immediately and whisk in cold cream slowly
Not enough garlic flavor? Mix garlic powder into the finished dish rather than trying to add fresh garlic late
Chicken seems dry? Slice it thinner and let it rest in the warm sauce for a minute

Note: If your Parmesan isn’t melting smoothly, your heat might be too high. Gentle and low wins this race every time.

Make It Your Own

This is one of those recipes that practically begs for tweaks based on what you have or what your family loves. I’ve tried it with different pasta shapes, added vegetables, and even swapped proteins. The base is so solid that it handles changes beautifully.

Try stirring in some baby spinach during the last minute of cooking, or add a handful of sun-dried tomatoes for a little tang. My oldest daughter loves it with broccoli florets tossed in during the pasta cooking time.

Addition	When to Add	How Much
Baby spinach	Last 1 minute of cooking	2-3 cups fresh
Sun-dried tomatoes	With the shallots	1/4 cup chopped
Broccoli florets	Last 3 minutes of pasta cooking	1-2 cups
Red pepper flakes	With the Italian seasoning	1/4 teaspoon

Serving and Storing Like a Pro

This Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta is one of those dishes that tastes amazing fresh but also reheats surprisingly well. Serve it straight from the pan with maybe a simple green salad and some crusty bread for soaking up any extra sauce.

Fresh: Serve immediately while the sauce is silky and the pasta is perfectly coated
Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container
Reheating: Add a splash of cream or milk and reheat gently on the stove, stirring frequently

Pro tip: I like to slightly undercook the pasta if I know I’ll have leftovers. It finishes cooking when you reheat and doesn’t get mushy.

Expert Says: The Science Behind Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta balances protein, fat, and carbohydrates for a satisfying meal. Garlic not only enhances flavor but also contains compounds that support immunity, while Parmesan adds depth and richness with its umami qualities. This combination creates a dish that’s both comforting and nutritionally balanced.For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!Perfecting My Chicken Garlic Parmesan PastaI’ll admit, this Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta didn’t come together overnight. After a few too many oily batches and some undercooked chicken surprises, I finally found the perfect balance of creamy sauce and tender meat. It’s been a joyful learning curve, and now it’s a comfort dish my family asks for again and again.FAQs ( Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta )

What type of pasta works best for Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta?

Fettuccine and penne are the most popular choices for this dish because they hold the creamy garlic parmesan sauce beautifully. Fettuccine’s flat surface allows the sauce to cling perfectly, while penne’s ridges trap all that delicious flavor. You can also use linguine, rigatoni, or even spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand – the key is choosing a pasta that will grab onto that rich, creamy sauce!

How do I keep my chicken tender and juicy?

The secret to perfectly tender chicken is not overcooking it! Use a meat thermometer and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove from heat immediately. Pound your chicken to an even thickness before cooking so it cooks uniformly, and let it rest for a few minutes after cooking. Season the chicken well with salt and pepper, and don’t move it around too much in the pan – let it develop that beautiful golden crust first.

Can I make Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta ahead of time?

While this pasta is definitely best served fresh, you can prep some components ahead of time to make weeknight cooking easier. Cook and slice your chicken up to 2 days in advance, and store it covered in the refrigerator. You can also make the sauce base without the cheese and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce gently, add the cheese, and toss with freshly cooked pasta and warmed chicken.

Why does my cheese sauce sometimes get clumpy or separate?

Cheese sauce drama is usually caused by too much heat or adding cheese too quickly! Always remove your pan from direct heat before adding parmesan, and add it gradually while stirring constantly. Use freshly grated parmesan instead of pre-shredded for the smoothest results, as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. If your sauce does break, try whisking in a tablespoon of warm pasta water to bring it back together.

What can I serve alongside Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta?

Since this pasta is pretty rich and indulgent, pair it with something fresh and light! A crisp Caesar salad or mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts add nice color and nutrition to your plate. Don’t forget some crusty garlic bread for sopping up any extra sauce – because let’s be honest, you won’t want to waste a drop of that creamy goodness!

Your New Go-To Comfort MealThis Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta delivers exactly what you’re craving – rich, creamy, and ready in 30 minutes. You’ll love how the garlic butter sauce coats every piece of pasta while that golden chicken adds the perfect protein punch. It’s comfort food that actually feels doable on a weeknight, and the results taste like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did.Want to switch things up? Try tossing in some baby spinach during the last minute of cooking, or swap the farfalle for penne if that’s what you have on hand. This recipe stores beautifully in the fridge for up to three days – just add a splash of cream when reheating to bring back that silky sauce. I picked up that trick from watching too many cooking shows, and it works like magic every time.I’d love to see how this turns out in your kitchen! Did you add any special touches or family twists? Drop a comment below or tag me if you share photos – there’s nothing I enjoy more than seeing how recipes travel from my table to yours. This one’s definitely going in your regular rotation, and I have a feeling your family will be asking for it again and again.

Storage Method	Time Frame	Best Reheating Method
Refrigerator	3-4 days	Stovetop with splash of cream