If you’re like me, dinner should be easy and tasty. Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Pasta elevates comfort fare. This recipe’s creamy sauce, delicate chicken, and precisely cooked pasta will make you feel like you’re in a five-star restaurant without leaving home.
This recipe is excellent for busy weeknights when you want something nice but don’t have time to cook. A warm, hearty supper can be made in about 35 minutes with a few ingredients and one pan. It’s the perfect blend of savory, creamy, and soothing flavors.
Who is this Recipe For?
Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta is a hit with everyone, so it’s great for:
- Families with a lot going on: this one-pan recipe makes dinner time easier when balancing work, kids, and housework.
- Fans of pasta: Enjoy this dish if you like thick and creamy pasta.
- People who like chicken: This recipe is for juicy, full-flavored chicken breasts.
- Battlers during the week: Want to make dinner quickly? From beginning to end, this dish only takes 35 minutes.
This recipe is simple to follow, even if you have never cooked. It makes a meal that tastes fancy but is very easy to make.
One-Pan Cooking
The one-pan nature of this recipe sets it apart. It’s simple to make and clean. From chicken to spaghetti, everything is cooked in one skillet, reducing cleanup. That’s always a win in my book!
Cooking the chicken and pasta in the same pan blends the flavors, giving each bite a delicious explosion.
Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta
Let’s look at what you’ll need to make this dish before we get to the method.
For the Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 lb chicken breast without bones or skin (butterflied or beaten down to ½” thickness)
- 1 tablespoon Italian sauce
- ½ teaspoon of chili
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
To make the pasta:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon of unsalted butter
- ½ sizeable yellow onion (about 1 cup of diced onion)
- 4 to 6 big cloves of minced garlic
- 8 ounces of dry penne pasta (healthy or gluten-free)
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated very finely
- ½ cup of heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
These simple items are easy to find in most kitchens and give food the most flavor.
Things you’ll need to make this recipe.
Here is what you’ll need in the kitchen for this simple one-pan meal:
- Board for cutting
- Knife
- Small bowl (for mixing the spices)
- A large pan with a lid, especially one made of cast iron or nonstick.
- Tongs (to turn the chicken over)
- A spatula is used to mix and stir the pasta.
How to Prepare the Chicken for Cooking
Season the chicken. Mix Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Wipe the chicken dry with a paper towel, then season both sides of the chicken breasts with the spice mix. This ensures that the chicken has a good taste before it’s cooked.
To sear the chicken, heat a big pan on medium heat. Add the avocado oil when it’s hot. Season the chicken and put it in the pan. Cook for four to five minutes on each side until the internal temperature hits 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it down on a cutting board to rest. This helps the chicken stay moist by spreading out the juices.
Creating the Creamy Pasta Sauce
Turn down the heat to medium-low and sauté the onion and garlic. Add more avocado oil and butter that doesn’t have salt to the pan. Add the diced onion and cook for three minutes until it becomes soft and transparent. After that, add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it smells good.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. These little bits of taste give the sauce a lot more depth.
Cooking the Pasta and Combining Ingredients
Cook the Pasta: When the soup starts to boil, add the dry penne pasta to the pan. Mix the pasta to make sure it’s all covered in the juice. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is right.
The sauce is almost done. Once the pasta is done, turn off the heat and add the heavy cream, chopped parsley, and sliced Parmesan cheese. Mix the sauce and cheese together until smooth. Taste it and add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it.
Mix in the chicken: Cut the chicken resting into strips and add them to the pan with the pasta. Toss the chicken and pasta together to get all the creamy sauce.
Tips for a Perfect Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta
Cut the chicken breasts into butterfly shapes so they cook quickly and evenly.
Be sure not to skip the deglazing step! The bits that are cooked in the pan taste great.
You can change the thickness of the sauce by adding more or less chicken broth. More chicken broth will make the sauce thinner, and less will make it deeper and thicker.
Use Parmesan, which has just been grated, for the best taste and melting texture.
Possible Recipe Variations and Swaps
Pasta Swap: While penne is a traditional pasta, you can substitute any pasta, such as gluten-free spaghetti, fettuccine, or farfalle.
Chicken substitutes: If you are not fond of chicken breasts, you may substitute boneless thighs or crustaceans as an alternative protein.
Dairy-Free Alternative: Dairy-free Coconut cream and cheese can be employed to accommodate dairy-free diets.
Incorporate vegetables: Add sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or legumes to enhance the flavor and nutritional value.
How to Store Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta
Suppose you have any leftovers (which you probably won’t because this dish is so good), put them in a container that won’t let air in and put it in the fridge for up to three days. You can reheat the sauce in a pan or the microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce needs it.
What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta
A light green salad and crusty bread soak up the creamy sauce with this dish. The richness of the food would go well with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. If you want to go all out, serve with a glass of sparkling wine to make it feel more special.
You can also read :
Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe: Creamy, Zesty
Easy and Quick Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta (One-Pan)
If you’re like me, dinner should be easy and tasty. Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Pasta elevates comfort fare. This recipe’s creamy sauce, delicate chicken, and precisely cooked pasta will make you feel like you’re in a five-star restaurant without leaving home.
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (butterflied or flattened to ½” thickness)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ jumbo yellow onion (diced, about 1 cup)
- 4–6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 oz dry penne pasta (gluten-free optional)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat chicken dry and rub the seasoning mix evenly on both sides.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from the pan and let rest.
- Sauté Onion & Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 1 tbsp oil and butter to the pan. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a light boil.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the dry penne pasta, stirring to ensure it’s submerged in the broth. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
- Finish the Sauce: Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and chopped parsley. Stir until smooth and the cheese melts. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Combine with Chicken: Slice the rested chicken into strips and add it to the pan with the pasta. Toss everything together until evenly combined.
- Serve: Serve immediately and garnish with additional parsley, if desired.
Notes
Storage Instructions
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To refresh the sauce, reheat in a pan with a splash of chicken broth or cream.
Tips & Variations
- Chicken Substitute: Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs or shrimp for a different protein.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream and Parmesan for a dairy-free version.
- Add Veggies: Add spinach, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
Pairing Suggestions
This dish pairs well with a light green salad and a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio glass for a deliciously balanced meal!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 665 kcal
- Sodium: 1021mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 138mg
Questions you may ask!
1. Can I use a different kind of pasta?
Yes! You can use bow tie pasta, rigatoni, or any other short pasta. Just change the amount of time it takes to cook.
2. How can I add more heat to this recipe?
Season the meat with a pinch of red pepper flakes or mix some into the sauce for extra heat.
3. Is it possible to make this meal ahead of time?
You can cook the chicken and pasta beforehand and then mix them with the sauce right before serving, though the sauce is best when fresh.
4. Can I use chicken legs instead of breasts?
Of course! You can use boneless, skinless chicken legs instead, which will improve the taste of the dish.
5. What can I do to make the sauce longer?
If the sauce is too thin, try adding a little more chopped Parmesan cheese. You can also let it cook for a few more minutes to thicken it.
Hi, I’m Clara Magnet
Hi there! As an author, I’m actually a professional chef and food blogger. I’ve been cooking for over 10 years and absolutely love creating recipes that bring people together around the table.
I take a lot of pride in making sure all of my recipes are accurate and delicious. I do a ton of research and testing to make sure everything turns out just right. I get inspiration from all sorts of sources, and I try to use ingredients that are in season, organic, and locally sourced whenever I can.
One of the most important things to me is making sure my recipes are easy to follow and producing great results every time. If you ever have any questions or need some extra guidance, don’t hesitate to ask! I’m always happy to help out. Thanks for checking out my recipes, and happy cooking!
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