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Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Close-up of creamy fettuccine pasta topped with seasoned, diced chicken pieces and fresh parsley, a perfect chicken pasta dish.
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Make this restaurant-style Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta at home. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients to create a rich, comforting weeknight dinner that tastes indulgent.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the cut chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  7. Serve immediately. Top each serving with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breast. Add it in step 6 after warming the sauce.
  • To achieve a truly velvety sauce, always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
  • If you want a slight kick, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-pasta/