Name: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 oz fettuccine or your choice of pasta; 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Salt and pepper to taste; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Get ready to wow your taste buds with a silky, soul-soothing bowl of Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta! This dish is pure comfort in every twirl — tender fettuccine (or any pasta you love) tossed with juicy seared chicken, all drenched in a luscious, cheesy garlic sauce. It’s the kind of meal that feels fancy enough for a special night in, but comes together quickly enough for busy weeknights. If you crave something that strikes the perfect balance between rich and satisfying, this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta absolutely delivers.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: every ingredient serves an essential purpose, from the velvety sauce to the perfectly cooked chicken. Each element brings something to the table, whether it’s flavor, creaminess, or beautiful color in your finished pasta.

Pasta: Fettuccine is a classic choice for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta, but any pasta shape you love will soak up the sauce beautifully.
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts become juicier and more flavorful when seared for the pasta.
Olive Oil: Helps brown the chicken deliciously, adding a subtle depth to every bite.
Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and elevating all the flavors in the sauce.
Garlic: Four cloves bring the signature garlicky aroma and depth to Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta.
Heavy Cream: Creates that irresistibly silky, thick texture in your sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan is a must; it melts smoothly into the sauce for that unmistakable cheesy flavor.
Chicken Broth: Adds savory notes and keeps the sauce from being too heavy.
Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs brightens up the whole dish.
Fresh Parsley: Optional, but it adds a pop of color and a touch of freshness to the final plate.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your fettuccine (or favorite pasta) and cook until just al dente, following the package instructions. Draining the pasta right before adding it to the sauce ensures it absorbs all the creamy goodness and maintains perfect bite.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

While your pasta is bubbling away, season the chicken breasts all over with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Place the chicken in the pan, letting it sear undisturbed for 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should hit 165°F/75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest, which keeps it juicy before you slice it.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

In the same skillet, add minced garlic to the leftover drippings and sauté just until fragrant—about one minute. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to lift all those browned bits from the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, letting the flavors meld together while the sauce slightly thickens.

Step 4: Add Cheese

Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, stirring until the cheese melts completely and transforms the sauce into something glossy and luxurious. Taste and season with extra salt and pepper if needed. This step is where Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta earns its name!

Step 5: Combine

Now for the best part: bringing everything together. Slice your rested chicken and return it, along with the cooked pasta, to the skillet. Toss gently to coat every strand and bite in that creamy, savory sauce. In moments, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish ready for the table!

Step 6: Serve

If you’re feeling a little extra, shower the finished Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with fresh parsley right before serving. The pop of green is pretty and adds a bit of brightness to balance the richness. Pile it into bowls and serve immediately for peak creaminess.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or extra shavings of Parmesan takes this pasta from comforting to completely irresistible. For a little zip, add a pinch of crushed red pepper, or finish with a drizzle of good olive oil for shine.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs gorgeously with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli, or even a loaf of warm crusty bread to mop up every drop of creamy sauce. Simple sides let the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta shine, but the possibilities are endless.

Creative Ways to Present

For an elegant twist, serve the pasta in shallow bowls and finish each with a parmesan crisp or a roasted garlic clove. Hosting a dinner party? Try twirling individual portions onto plates for a bistro-worthy presentation, or serve family-style from a beautiful platter at the center of the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any extra Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta cool to room temperature before transferring it into airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for lunch or dinner rewinds.

Freezing

While this pasta is at its creamy best fresh, it can be frozen if needed. Portion into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of room for expansion. Note that the sauce may separate upon thawing, but stirring in a splash of cream when reheating will bring back its velvety texture.

Reheating

For best results, reheat Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce’s silkiness. Microwave reheating also works, just use short intervals and stir frequently to keep the sauce smooth.

FAQs

Can I use a different pasta shape for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta?

Absolutely! While fettuccine is a classic, linguine, spaghetti, or even penne all work beautifully, soaking up the sauce just as deliciously.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

You bet—simply skip the chicken or swap in sautéed mushrooms, roasted broccoli, or spinach for a satisfying vegetarian version of Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

For a lighter sauce, whole milk can replace some or all of the cream, but the final dish will be less rich. To maintain creaminess, try a blend of milk and half-and-half if you prefer.

What’s the best way to get a smooth, lump-free sauce?

Add Parmesan cheese gradually over low heat, stirring constantly. Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded, ensuring your sauce stays beautifully smooth.

How do I know when the chicken is perfectly cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check—your chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F (75°C) at its thickest point. Let it rest before slicing so it stays juicy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re longing for a restaurant-style meal at home that wraps you up in comfort with every bite, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta is that dish. It’s simple, indulgent, and always a crowd-pleaser. Give it a try—you deserve this kind of weeknight magic!

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

Author: Lila
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: None

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Description

Indulge in this rich and flavorful Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta, a comforting dish that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce.

Instructions

Cook the Pasta – In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain.
Prepare the Chicken – Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in olive oil until done.
Make the Sauce – Sauté garlic, add chicken broth and cream. Simmer and add Parmesan and seasoning.
Add Cheese – Whisk in Parmesan until sauce is creamy.
Combine – Toss cooked pasta and sliced chicken in the sauce.
Serve – Garnish with parsley and serve.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian