Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Description:
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breast, a velvety garlic-parmesan cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a popular one-pan meal that combines simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dinner.
Prep & Cook Time:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted olive oil
For the Sauce:
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup pasta water (reserved)
For the Pasta:
8 oz (about 225g) fettuccine or penne pasta
Optional garnish: chopped parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken:
Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken and cook until golden and fully cooked (5–7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce:
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir.
Add Parmesan cheese gradually, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
Add Italian seasoning, and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in some reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if too thick.
4. Combine:
Return the chicken to the pan, followed by the cooked pasta.
Toss to coat evenly in the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
Cook for 1–2 more minutes to blend flavors.
5. Serve:
Garnish with chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes
Serve hot with extra grated Parmesan on top.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
Calories: ~650 kcal
Protein: 35g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Cholesterol: 135mg
Sodium: 420mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 2g
(Nutritional values are approximate and vary based on ingredients used.)
Q&A Section:
Q: Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
A: You can substitute with whole milk, but the sauce will be thinner. Adding a tablespoon of flour or cream cheese can help thicken it.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes, but it’s best fresh. If reheating, add a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce.
Q: What pasta works best?
A: Fettuccine, penne, or linguine are great. Avoid delicate pastas like angel hair for this rich sauce.
Q: Is there a low-fat version?
A: Use light cream or half-and-half and reduce the olive oil . Flavor may be slightly less rich.
Q: Can I add vegetables?
A: Absolutely! Spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms pair wonderfully with the creamy sauce.
Q: What protein alternatives can I use?
A: Try shrimp, grilled tof
u, or omit for a vegetarian version.