If there’s one dinner that checks all the boxes — creamy, garlicky, cheesy, hearty, and weeknight-easy — this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is it. You get golden-seared chicken tossed with tender penne and coated in a silky garlic parmesan cream sauce. And the best part? It all happens in just one pan. Yup, that’s real comfort food magic right there.
Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or just trying to impress yourself after a long day, this pasta comes through with flavor and ease.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Pasta
Here’s the thing about this pasta dish: it’s reliable, full of flavor, and low-stress. We’re talking:
- One pan, so fewer dishes
- Dinner in about 30 minutes
- Family-friendly and picky-eater-approved
- Satisfyingly rich without being heavy
- Customizable with whatever pasta or herbs you’ve got lying around
Honestly, it’s a total weeknight hero.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy — just a few pantry staples and fridge regulars. Here’s the lineup:
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (butterflied or pounded thin)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for flavor and browning)
For the Pasta & Sauce
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4–5 garlic cloves, minced (don’t hold back)
- 8 oz dry penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
1. Season and Sear the Chicken
Rub your chicken with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
Tip: Don’t skip the sear! That caramelized flavor makes a huge difference.
2. Build the Flavor Base
In the same pan, toss in your diced onion. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds, just until fragrant. (You don’t want burnt garlic — just golden and toasty.)
3. Simmer the Pasta
Pour in your chicken broth and bring it to a low boil. Stir in the dry pasta, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cover the pan. Let it cook for about 12–14 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should be al dente and the liquid mostly absorbed.
You can use any pasta shape here — fusilli, rigatoni, shells — but penne holds the sauce beautifully.
4. Cream It Up
Turn off the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce that coats every piece of pasta.
If the sauce looks a bit too thick, add a splash of warm water or broth to loosen it up.
5. Add Chicken and Finish
Slice your cooked chicken and toss it back into the pan. Spoon the creamy sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and more parmesan if you’re feeling generous (you should).
Boom. Dinner = handled.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Use rotisserie chicken if you want to skip cooking raw chicken — great time-saver.
- Want it spicy? Add crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- No cream? Use whole milk + a pat of butter, but the sauce won’t be quite as thick.
- Gluten-free? Just swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta and check that your broth is GF too.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta is super satisfying on its own, but it’s also great with:
- A simple side salad (try something from our healthy salad ideas)
- Garlic bread or toasted sourdough
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
If you’re all about quick, balanced meals that still taste like you put in real effort, check out our other weeknight dinner recipes. You’ll find tons of inspiration.
Storage & Leftovers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth or milk to bring back the creaminess.
Trust me, it reheats beautifully — especially the next day when all the flavors have had a chance to mingle.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
If there’s one dinner that checks all the boxes — creamy, garlicky, cheesy, hearty, and weeknight-easy — this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is it. You get golden-seared chicken tossed with tender penne and coated in a silky garlic parmesan cream sauce. And the best part? It all happens in just one pan. Yup, that’s real comfort food magic right there.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (butterflied or pounded thin)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz dry penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Rub chicken with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
- In the same pan, sauté diced onion for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a low boil. Stir in penne pasta, reduce heat, and cover. Cook for 12–14 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Turn off heat and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Slice cooked chicken and add it back to the pan. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut. Add red pepper flakes for heat. Substitute cream with whole milk and butter if needed. Swap in gluten-free pasta if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Make It a Regular on Your Dinner Table
Once you try this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to make it. It’s the kind of recipe that’s easy enough for a busy Monday but indulgent enough for a cozy Friday night in.
You might also love recipes that fit into your weight-friendly meal plans or more air fryer recipes for crispy sides to go with this creamy pasta.
No matter how you serve it, this pasta is about to become your new go-to dinner. Just try it once — you’ll see what all the hype is about.