Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta
A rich and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy Parmesan sauce, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 10 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or bow tie) cooked al dente
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated from block, do not use pre-shredded
- 0.5 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- to taste salt and black pepper salt and black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve 0.5 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper; cook in olive oil until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter, add minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, simmer for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened, then whisk in Parmesan cheese and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce, toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and high-quality pasta.