Amazing Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta in 35 Mins

You know those nights, right? The ones where you get home, the fridge looks a little sad, and all you want is something warm, cheesy, and totally satisfying without a ton of fuss. That’s exactly when my super-easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe comes to the rescue! Seriously, this dish is a weeknight warrior. I first threw this together on a Tuesday when I was absolutely wiped, and it was a total game-changer. It’s got that creamy, garlicky, cheesy goodness that just hits the spot, and it’s on the table faster than you can decide what to order in. Trust me, this one’s a keeper!

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Seriously, this whole thing comes together in about 35 minutes, start to finish. Perfect for those nights when you’re just dragging. So, count it as your new weeknight best friend!

We’re talking pantry staples here – garlic, Parmesan, a little cream – but oh my goodness, the combination is just magical. It tastes so much fancier than it is to make!

Even the pickiest eaters in my family devour this. It’s comforting, cheesy, and just plain delicious. You can make a big batch for game night or Sunday dinner and watch it disappear.

Want it extra rich? Add a bit more cream! Prefer it a little lighter? You can totally adjust the sauce to your liking. You’re the boss!

There’s just something about pasta coated in garlic and Parmesan that feels like a warm hug. It’s pure, unadulterated deliciousness that just makes everything seem a little bit better.

Gather Your Ingredients for the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Alright, let’s get our mise en place sorted for this dreamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta! Having everything ready makes the cooking part a total breeze. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces – think cubes about the size of your thumb.
• 8 oz pasta – any shape you love works, but fettuccine, penne, or rotini are great choices. Cook it up according to the package, and remember to save a little bit of that starchy pasta water!
• 4 cloves garlic, minced – don’t be shy here, the more garlic, the better, right?
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese – fresh is best, trust me! That pre-grated stuff just doesn’t melt the same.
• 1/4 cup heavy cream – this is what gives us that luscious, creamy sauce.
• 2 tbsp olive oil – for sautéing!
• 2 tbsp butter – because butter makes everything better, obviously.
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley – for a pop of color and a hint of freshness at the end.
• Salt and black pepper to taste – use your favorite kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Essential Equipment for Making Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Alright, so to whip up this amazing Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta without any hitches, you’ll want to have a few trusty kitchen companions ready to go. It’s not complicated, but having the right tools makes all the difference!

First up, you absolutely need a large skillet. You want something that can hold all that glorious pasta, chicken, and creamy sauce. A good non-stick one is a lifesaver here, making sure nothing sticks and cleanup is a breeze.

Next, grab your cutting board and a sharp knife. You’ll need these for dicing the chicken and mincing all that fragrant garlic. A good sharp knife just makes prep work so much faster and safer!

When it comes to measuring, a set of measuring cups and spoons is key. Getting those ingredient ratios right, especially with the cream and cheese, is important for that perfect sauce consistency.

A colander is a must-have for draining your pasta. Don’t forget to save a little bit of that starchy pasta water before you drain it all – it’s liquid gold for helping the sauce cling to the pasta!

You’ll also want a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula for stirring all those delicious ingredients together in the skillet. It’s perfect for scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, too, where all the flavor lives!

Lastly, having a small bowl for prepping your chicken and minced garlic keeps things organized and prevents you from running back and forth across the kitchen. It’s all about making it as smooth and stress-free as possible!

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Alright, let’s get this delicious Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta made! It’s honestly so straightforward, you’ll feel like a pro in no time. Just follow these simple steps and get ready for an amazing meal.

Preparing and Cooking the Chicken

First things first, let’s get that chicken ready. Grab your bite-sized chicken pieces and give them a good sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper. I usually just go to town with the saltshaker and pepper mill – you know, season it well! Now, heat up your large skillet over medium-high heat with that lovely mix of olive oil and butter. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken. You want to give it some space so it browns up nicely. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes, flipping it occasionally, until it’s golden brown and cooked all the way through. Don’t overcook it! Once it’s done, just scoop the chicken out and put it aside on a plate for a moment.

Building the Garlic Parmesan Sauce

In that same skillet, with all those tasty browned bits still in there (seriously, don’t wipe that out – that’s flavor!), add your minced garlic. Now, garlic cooks super fast, so keep an eye on it and stir it around for just about a minute until you can really smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Be careful not to burn it, or it’ll get bitter! Once it’s nice and fragrant, pour in the heavy cream. Give it a good stir, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it come to a gentle simmer. Then, gradually stir in your grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until it’s all melted and the sauce starts to get nice and thick. It’ll remind me a little bit of how the sauce thickens in my garlic butter chicken and potatoes skillet – that lovely richness!

Combining and Finishing the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Now for the grand finale! Go ahead and add that cooked chicken back into the skillet with the glorious sauce. Then, toss in your cooked pasta. Use your spoon to gently mix everything together. You want every single piece of pasta and chicken to be coated in that dreamy garlic Parmesan sauce. Seriously, just keep tossing until it’s all looking beautiful and glossy. Finally, stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Give it a final taste and adjust the salt and pepper if you think it needs it. And that’s it! Serve it up right away while it’s hot and cheesy.

Tips for the Best Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Okay, so we’ve gone through how to make it, but let me give you a few little secrets I’ve learned over the years to make this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta absolutely *perfect* every single time. These are the little things that really elevate it!

First off, and this is a big one, don’t overcook your pasta! You want it just shy of al dente because it’s going to finish cooking in the sauce. Nobody likes mushy pasta, I don’t care how good the sauce is!

And please, for the love of all things delicious, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Seriously, skip the stuff in the green can. Grating it yourself means it melts so much smoother and gives you that incredibly rich, cheesy flavor that’s just unbeatable. It makes a world of difference, just like in my Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta Skillet.

Don’t be afraid to adjust the garlic to your own taste. Four cloves is my sweet spot, but if you’re a total garlic fiend like me, add another clove or two! Just remember to give it a little sniff test to make sure it’s not burning.

If you want that sauce to be extra dreamy and clingy, don’t forget to save a little bit of that pasta water before you drain your pasta. That starchy water works wonders for emulsifying the sauce and making it extra velvety. Just a few tablespoons can make all the difference!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Let’s chat about a few things in this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe that you might have questions about, or maybe you want to mix things up a bit! I love that this dish is pretty flexible.

For the pasta, honestly, whatever shape you have lurking in the pantry is probably going to work. Penne, rotini, farfalle – they all grab that yummy sauce so well. If you don’t have heavy cream, you *could* try half-and-half, but it might not be quite as rich, you know? Just a heads-up there. And garlic? Garlic is key! If you’re not a huge garlic fan, start with just 3 cloves, but I seriously recommend giving the full 4 a try for the best flavor. For a little twist, you could even use roasted garlic for a sweeter, milder taste that’s really divine. It’s kind of like how a splash of apple cider vinegar can change a whole dish, we’re just playing with flavor!

Serving Suggestions for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is pretty much a full meal on its own, but if you’re feeling fancy or want to round out the meal, a simple side salad is always a winner. I love a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, maybe something like this watermelon salad for a refreshing contrast, or even a hearty beet salad. And of course, you can never go wrong with some crusty bread for soaking up any extra sauce!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got some of this magical Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta leftover? Lucky you! Just pop it into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, you can gently reheat it right in the microwave, stirring halfway through, or warm it up in a skillet over low heat with a tiny splash of milk or broth to bring back that creamy goodness. Either way, it’s still super tasty!

Frequently Asked Questions about Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Got questions about whipping up this dreamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta? I’ve got you covered! Here are a few things people often ask that might help you nail it:

Can I make this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta vegetarian?

Absolutely! It’s super easy to skip the chicken and still have a fantastic meal. Just follow the recipe, cook your pasta, and make the garlic Parmesan sauce. You can toss in some sautéed mushrooms, steamed broccoli, or even some spinach into the sauce for extra veggies. It’s still incredibly flavorful and satisfying!

What kind of pasta works best with this recipe?

Honestly, my favorite pasta shapes for this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta are ones that can really hold onto that creamy sauce, like fettuccine, linguine, or penne. Rotini or farfalle are also great because all those nooks and crannies catch the sauce. But honestly? Use whatever you have! As long as it’s cooked nicely, it’ll be delicious.

How can I make the sauce even creamier?

If you want an extra-creamy sauce, a couple of things can help! Make sure you’re using good quality heavy cream, as it has a higher fat content. Also, remember that little trick I mentioned about saving some of that starchy pasta water? Stirring a tablespoon or two of that into the sauce at the end really helps emulsify everything and makes it wonderfully smooth and creamy. You could even add a tiny bit more Parmesan cheese right at the very end, off the heat, and stir it in until it melts.

Can I use pre-minced garlic or garlic powder?

While fresh minced garlic is definitely best for that vibrant flavor, you can use pre-minced garlic in a pinch. Just make sure it’s fresh. If you absolutely can’t swing fresh garlic, you could try about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder added with the Parmesan, but it won’t have quite the same punch. Fresh garlic really is the star here!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Now, I always like to give you a little heads-up on the nutritional side of things, just so you know what you’re working with! This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is definitely a treat, and here’s a ballpark figure per serving. Keep in mind, this is just an estimate, and it can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use, like the brands of cheese or cream, or even how much extra you might add!

So, roughly, you’re looking at about 650 calories, 35g of fat, and around 40g of protein. It also has about 45g of carbohydrates. For the full breakdown, you can always check out the full nutritional disclaimer, but just know this is a hearty, satisfying meal that’s perfect for dinner!

Share Your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Creation!

Okay, now that you’ve hopefully made up a big batch of this amazing Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear about it! Did it become your new go-to? What did your family think? Drop a comment below and let me know your experience, or even rate the recipe if you have a moment. I also love seeing your kitchen creations pop up on social media, so feel free to tag me! If you have any questions or tips you want to share, you can also send them my way through the contact page!

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