Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Creamy, garlicky and comforting — an easy dinner that feels a little special.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta combines tender, golden chicken with fettuccine tossed in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce. It comes together in about 35 minutes, making it easy enough for a weeknight but comforting enough for a cozy weekend dinner.

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PREP TIME
10 minutes

COOK TIME
25 minutes

SERVINGS
4

Ingredients

For the chicken:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter

For the pasta & sauce:

8 oz fettuccine
2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
1–2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Reserved pasta water, as needed

Instructions

Cook the pasta. Cook fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup pasta water.
Prepare the chicken. Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to make 4 thinner cutlets. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
Cook the chicken. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken about 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden and the center reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate.
Start the sauce. Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons butter and garlic to the same skillet. Cook about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Make it creamy. Add heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning and black pepper. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
Add the Parmesan. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Don’t let the sauce boil once the cheese is added.
Add the pasta. Toss the drained fettuccine in the sauce. If it’s too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon or two at a time.
Finish. Add the chicken back to the skillet or place it over the pasta. Spoon sauce over the chicken and finish with parsley and a little extra Parmesan.

Make It Your Own

One of the easiest ways to change this recipe is to add a few simple ingredients or seasonings. Start with the creamy garlic Parmesan version, then try one of these variations.

Add Broccoli

Add steamed or lightly roasted broccoli to the pasta just before serving for an easy way to add vegetables and a little color.

Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato

Stir a couple handfuls of fresh baby spinach and chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce. Let the spinach wilt before adding the pasta.

Cajun Parmesan

Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning instead of Italian seasoning for a little extra heat. Start lightly—you can always add more.

Make It Gluten-Free

This recipe is easy to adapt. Use your favorite gluten-free fettuccine or pasta in place of regular pasta. Also check the labels on your chicken broth, Parmesan and seasonings to make sure they’re gluten-free.

One useful note: Gluten-free pasta can absorb sauce differently, so save some pasta water and use it as needed to keep the Parmesan sauce creamy.

Tips for the Best Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Use freshly grated Parmesan. It melts much more smoothly into the sauce than pre-shredded cheese.
Don’t boil the Parmesan sauce. Keep the heat low once the cheese goes in to help prevent the sauce from separating or becoming grainy.
Don’t overcook the chicken. Thinner chicken cutlets cook quickly. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Save some pasta water. It makes it easy to loosen the sauce without watering down the flavor.
The sauce will thicken as it sits. If needed, stir in a splash of pasta water or chicken broth before serving.

What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This pasta is hearty enough to serve on its own, but it pairs especially well with roasted broccoli, green beans, asparagus or a simple green salad. Add warm garlic bread or crusty bread if you want something for soaking up the extra Parmesan sauce.