Creamy Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
A comforting and indulgent pasta dish with tender chicken, silky pasta, and a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or linguine) Choose your preferred type.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese Freshly grated is preferred for better flavor.
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional) For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all ingredients. Dice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and mince garlic.
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes), reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Cooking Chicken
- Season chicken with salt and black pepper. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add chicken. Sear until golden brown, about 6-7 minutes. Remove chicken and slice it into strips.
Making Cream Sauce
- In the same skillet, add butter and melt over low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Pour in cream, stirring to combine. Allow to simmer, then whisk in parmesan cheese until sauce thickens (about 4-5 minutes).
Combining Pasta and Sauce
- Add drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if too thick.
- Return sliced chicken to the skillet, folding it into the creamy pasta.
Finishing Touch
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
This dish stores well for leftovers. Can be customized with vegetables or different pasta types.