Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe: A Dreamy and Creamy Weeknight Meal

Are you on the hunt for the ideal evening meal? The kind that is not only quick to prepare but also bursting with flavour, ensuring everyone at the table will be hoping for a second helping? We’ve all had those moments, peering into the fridge after a tiring day, looking for inspiration that’s both comforting and impressive without demanding hours of our time. Well, your search ends right here.

This garlic parmesan chicken pasta is the simple solution we often turn to, and with very good reason. Picture succulent, tender pieces of chicken, pan-fried to a beautiful golden brown, nestled alongside perfectly cooked pasta in a velvety, garlic-infused Parmesan sauce. It’s the culinary equivalent of a warm embrace, offering restaurant-level flavour with the ease of a home-cooked meal. Let’s begin!

Why This Recipe is a Keeper

Before we get to the method, let’s explore why we believe this dish will earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection, just as it has in ours. There are many reasons to adore this meal, but here are the ones we cherish most:

• Exceptionally Flavourful: The harmony between sharp garlic, savoury Parmesan cheese, and indulgent double cream results in a sauce that is truly divine. It beautifully coats every strand of pasta and piece of chicken, promising a burst of flavour with every mouthful.
• Speedy and Simple: From the moment you begin to the time you serve, this wonderful dish can be ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s the ideal choice for those hectic weeknights when time is precious, but you still desire a wholesome, home-cooked dinner.
• A Family Favourite: This meal is designed to please everyone. The flavours are refined enough for discerning adults yet creamy and gentle enough for even the pickiest of children. It’s a guaranteed success for the whole family.
• Wonderfully Versatile: Although this recipe is delightful on its own, it also serves as an excellent foundation for your own culinary creativity. You can easily introduce vegetables, a touch of spice, or even change the protein to match your preferences.

Ingredients for Your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

The charm of this recipe is its simplicity, relying on common ingredients you may already have in your kitchen cupboards and fridge. For the very best flavour, we always suggest opting for fresh, high-quality components.

• Pasta: 300g of your preferred pasta shape. We find that shapes like fettuccine, linguine, or penne are excellent choices as they hold the creamy sauce perfectly.
• Chicken: 500g of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces.
• Garlic: 4-6 cloves, finely minced. It’s a key ingredient, so feel free to be generous!
• Parmesan Cheese: 100g of freshly grated Parmesan. For the smoothest sauce, we highly recommend grating a block of Parmesan yourself.
• Double Cream: 250ml of double cream to give the sauce its wonderfully rich and creamy body.
• Chicken Stock: 120ml of a quality chicken stock.
• Butter: 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to your preference.
• Fresh Parsley: A small handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped, to garnish.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

We’ve laid out the entire process in clear, straightforward steps. Simply follow our guide, and you’ll be serving up a flawless pasta dish before you know it.

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pan of salted water to a brisk boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook as per the packet’s directions until it is ‘al dente’ (cooked through, but with a slight firmness). Before you drain it, save around 250ml (a good-sized mug) of the starchy cooking water. This is your secret weapon for perfecting the sauce later on! Drain the pasta and pop it to one side.
2. Prep the Chicken: As the pasta cooks, use a paper towel to pat the chicken pieces dry. Season them well with a good pinch of salt and black pepper.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken to Perfection

1. Heat the Pan: In a large, deep frying pan or skillet, warm the olive oil over a medium-high heat.
2. Sear the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken pieces into the hot pan, ensuring they are in a single layer. You may need to do this in two batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until they are golden-brown and cooked right through. Once done, take the chicken out of the pan and set it aside on a plate.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce

1. Sauté the Garlic: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the same pan. As soon as it’s melted, add your minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until it smells aromatic. Take great care not to let it brown, as burnt garlic will lend a bitter taste to the sauce. This is the heart of our garlic butter chicken pasta sauce.
2. Build the Sauce: Pour the chicken stock into the pan to deglaze it, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavourful browned bits from the bottom. Allow it to simmer for a minute, then stir in the double cream.
3. Add the Cheese: Bring the sauce to a very gentle simmer (don’t let it boil). Little by little, stir in your freshly grated Parmesan until it has fully melted and the sauce is velvety smooth. Season with a touch of salt and pepper, keeping in mind the saltiness of the Parmesan and stock.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

1. Combine: Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta back into the pan with your creamy sauce. Gently toss everything together to ensure the pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
2. Adjust Consistency: If the sauce looks a little too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency. The starch in the water helps the sauce adhere perfectly to the pasta.
3. Serve: Allow it all to heat through for another minute or so. Serve straight away, garnished with a generous amount of fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Our Top Tips for the Perfect Pasta

To help you take your dish from simply good to truly exceptional, we’ve put together a few of our favourite professional tips that we always stand by.

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: The foundation of any great pasta dish is ensuring the pasta is cooked ‘al dente’. It will absorb a little more liquid and cook further once added to the hot sauce. For more detailed guidance, check out this excellent guide on how to cook pasta perfectly.
• Fresh is Best: For the most authentic and robust flavour, using fresh cloves of garlic and a block of Parmesan that you grate yourself is essential. Pre-shredded cheeses often have additives that hinder a smooth melt.
• Reserve That Pasta Water: We cannot emphasise this enough! That starchy water is an emulsifier, helping to marry the sauce to the pasta for a silkier, more unified dish. It’s the key to a perfect creamy chicken pasta.
• Get a Good Sear on the Chicken: Take your time when browning the chicken. The caramelised residue, or ‘fond’, left in the pan is a powerhouse of flavour that will enrich your entire sauce.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the most wonderful aspects of this recipe is its adaptability. It provides the perfect canvas for an easy weeknight dinner, which you can modify according to what’s available.

Add Some Veggies

Don’t hesitate to add some vegetables for extra nutrition and a pop of colour. We suggest sautéing them until tender-crisp after the chicken is cooked but before starting the sauce. Some brilliant choices are:

• Spinach (stir in at the very end until it has just wilted)
• Mushrooms
• Broccoli florets (best if lightly steamed beforehand)
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Asparagus spears

Spice It Up

If you enjoy a little warmth, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic is a great touch. A dash of Cajun seasoning on the chicken also provides a lovely, spicy kick. For a different flavour profile entirely, why not try our The Ultimate Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe?

Different Proteins

Not in the mood for chicken? This garlic parmesan sauce is also fantastic with other proteins. Give it a go with pan-seared shrimp, flaky salmon, or even some Italian sausage. For a delicious alternative, you could also make our Our Ultimate Easy Creamy Garlic Parmesan Beef Rotini Recipe.

Serving and Storing Your Masterpiece

This chicken and parmesan pasta is at its most delicious when served immediately. We love to present it in pre-warmed bowls, accompanied by a side of crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of the wonderful sauce, and a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Should you find yourself with any leftovers, they can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. Upon reheating, you’ll notice the sauce has thickened. We find it’s best to gently reheat it in a saucepan over a low heat, adding a splash of milk, cream, or stock to restore its original creamy texture. We advise against freezing this dish, as cream-based sauces tend to split when thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Of course! Just swap the standard pasta for your preferred gluten-free variety. Remember to also check that your chicken stock is certified gluten-free.

Can I use milk instead of double cream?

You can, though the sauce won’t have the same decadent, creamy quality. If using milk, opt for full-fat and consider making a slurry with 1 teaspoon of cornflour mixed with 2 teaspoons of cold water. Whisk this into the sauce and allow it to simmer briefly to thicken.

My sauce is too thin/thick. How do I fix it?

This is a simple adjustment! If the sauce is overly thick, just stir in a little of the reserved pasta water (or milk/stock if you forgot) until it’s just right. If it’s too thin, let it simmer on a low heat for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Absolutely, using leftover roast chicken or a shop-bought rotisserie chicken is an excellent way to save time. Just shred or chop the cooked chicken and add it to the sauce with the pasta to warm through.

Is it possible to make this a one-pot pasta dish?

It is, with a couple of modifications. You’d cook the chicken, sauté the garlic, then add the stock, cream, and uncooked pasta, along with enough extra liquid (water or stock) to cover the pasta completely. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened. It needs careful attention to the liquid level but it’s very doable!

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Pasta Dish Awaits

And there we have it – a straightforward, elegant, and completely delicious Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta that we are sure will become one of your go-to meals. It’s wonderful proof that you don’t need a lengthy list of complex ingredients or to spend hours in the kitchen to produce something truly special. It is comforting, deeply satisfying, and adds a touch of indulgence to any evening.

We genuinely hope you enjoy making and eating this recipe as much as we do. Now, it’s over to you! We invite you to try this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe and share your thoughts in the comments section below. We always enjoy hearing about your experiences in the kitchen. Please don’t forget to rate the recipe and share it with your loved ones on social media!