Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Pasta
A quick and convenient one-skillet dish featuring crispy Parmesan-crusted chicken breasts and long pasta tossed in a creamy, garlicky sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting meal is family-friendly, customizable, and rich in flavor with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pasta)
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
- Reserved pasta water, as needed (about ¼ cup)
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about ¼ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Build the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Reduce skillet heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the skillet to loosen browned bits. Add heavy cream and simmer gently for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Parmesan and Finish Sauce: Gradually whisk in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Combine All Ingredients: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and return them to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and gently toss to coat every strand in the creamy sauce. Warm through for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Pasta and optionally garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting quality and flavor.
- Do not overcook chicken; ensure an internal temperature of 165°F and let it rest before slicing.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed without watering it down.
- Sauté garlic gently on medium heat to prevent bitterness.
- Taste the sauce before adding salt, especially if using pre-seasoned chicken broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: Parmesan garlic chicken, creamy garlic chicken pasta, one skillet chicken pasta, easy weeknight dinner, creamy chicken pasta recipe