This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the kind of meal that feels comforting, rich, and satisfying without demanding a lot of effort. Tender chicken, a velvety garlic-parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta all come together in one pan. It tastes like something you’d order at a cozy restaurant, yet it’s simple enough for any weeknight.
Originally, this dish was part of a romantic dinner series, which makes me laugh a little because garlic isn’t usually the star ingredient people pick for a date night. But honestly, when you’ve shared life with someone long enough, things like garlic breath matter a whole lot less. What matters is sitting down together to a warm, comforting meal that feels special and homemade.
And that’s exactly what this dish delivers. It may not have the typical Valentine’s Day colors, but it has the indulgent, cozy feeling that makes a meal memorable. Better yet, everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is quick and you can stay focused on enjoying the evening. Serve it with roasted vegetables, steamed greens, or a simple salad to round out the meal.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
This pasta is the perfect combination of convenience and comfort. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your weekly rotation:
- Everything cooks in a single pan.
- The sauce is creamy, rich, flavorful, and full of garlic.
- It’s balanced with protein, carbs, and fat for a satisfying meal.
- Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Elegant enough for a special occasion but simple enough for everyday cooking.
- Uses affordable, accessible ingredients you probably already have.
Ingredients You Need
For the Chicken
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Flatten or butterfly thicker pieces to about 1/2 inch so they cook evenly.
- Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Light seasoning that enhances the flavors without overpowering the creamy sauce.
- Avocado Oil: Ideal for high-heat searing. Olive oil works too.
For the Pasta
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the onions.
- Avocado Oil: Helps keep the butter from burning.
- Yellow Onion: Half of a large onion, finely diced.
- Garlic: The heart of the recipe.
- Chicken Broth: Infuses flavor into the pasta as it cooks.
- Penne Pasta: Great shape for soaking up the sauce, but any pasta works.
- Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated melts best.
- Fresh Parsley: Optional, but adds color and freshness.
- Salt & Pepper: Season to taste.
How to Make This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Season the Chicken
Start by ensuring each chicken breast is close to 1/2 inch thick. If needed, gently pound or butterfly the breast so it cooks evenly.
Mix together the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken dry, then coat both sides with the seasoning blend.
Sear the Chicken
Heat a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the avocado oil and place the seasoned chicken into the pan. Cook for 3–5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and allow it to rest.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Lower the heat to medium-low. Add a little more avocado oil along with the butter. Add the diced onion, season lightly with salt, and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the onion is soft and translucent, stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add Broth and Pasta
Pour the chicken broth into the pan and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. These add tons of flavor.
Bring the broth to a gentle boil. Add the dry pasta and stir so every piece is submerged in the liquid. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
Stir in the Cream, Parmesan, and Parsley
Turn off the heat. Add the parmesan, heavy cream, and parsley. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly into a creamy consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Add the Chicken Back In
Slice the cooked chicken into strips and add it to the creamy pasta. Toss everything together until well combined. Serve immediately.
Getting the Perfect Sear in a Stainless Steel Pan
If stainless steel skillets intimidate you, this recipe is a great one to practice with. They help achieve that beautiful golden crust on chicken, but only when preheated correctly.
Here’s a simple test:
Flick a few drops of water into the pan. If they sizzle aggressively and disappear instantly, the pan isn’t ready yet. If the droplets bead up and glide across the surface, bouncing like tiny marbles, the pan is perfectly preheated.
Then add your oil, wait until it shimmers, and place the chicken in the pan. A good sizzle should happen immediately. The chicken will naturally release once it’s ready to flip.
Can You Make It Gluten-Free?
Yes. Use your preferred gluten-free pasta brand. Banza, Jovial, and Bionaturae are great options.
Just be sure to check the cooking time on the package. If your pasta needs less time than traditional penne, reduce the simmering time so it doesn’t overcook and fall apart.
Can You Make It Dairy-Free?
You can. Here’s how:
- Replace the butter with more oil or vegan butter.
- Swap heavy cream for a dairy-free alternative such as plant-based cream.
- Use a vegan parmesan substitute or omit the cheese (texture may vary).
Can You Replace Heavy Cream with Milk?
Milk will make the sauce thinner and less rich. If you must substitute, use whole milk only, but the result will not be as creamy.
What to Serve With This Dish
This meal is hearty but benefits from a veggie side. Some great choices include:
- Roasted broccoli or green beans
- Simple mixed greens salad
- Steamed spinach
- Sautéd zucchini
You can also stir a few handfuls of fresh spinach directly into the sauce before serving.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use stainless steel for a better sear.
- Flatten chicken for even cooking.
- Cook pasta in broth instead of water for deeper flavor.
- Make sure pasta is mostly submerged in the broth before covering.
- Turn off the heat before adding cream and cheese to avoid curdling.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well and reheat beautifully. Refrigerate in an airtight container once completely cool. The pasta stays firm if it was cooked only to al dente. You can enjoy it warm or even cold the next day.
Print
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (One-Pan Dinner)
- Total Time: 35 min
Ingredients
For the Chicken
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, butterflied or thinned to 1/2 inch
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
For the Pasta
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
4–6 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz dry penne pasta (regular, gluten-free, or protein pasta)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (freshly grated recommended)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Combine Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pat the chicken dry and coat both sides with the seasoning blend.
Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the avocado oil once the pan is hot. Place the seasoned chicken in the pan and cook for 3–5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and allow the chicken to rest.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining oil and butter. Stir in the diced onion with a pinch of salt and cook for about 3 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle boil. Add the dry pasta and stir so the noodles are submerged. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
Turn off the heat. Add the parmesan, heavy cream, and parsley. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the pan. Toss to combine with the creamy pasta. Serve warm.
Notes
- Freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. Use the small holes of a grater for the best texture.
- If using gluten-free pasta, check the package for cook time. Adjust accordingly so the pasta doesn’t overcook.
- Adding dairy off heat prevents curdling and keeps the sauce silky.
- For extra vegetables, wilt fresh spinach into the sauce right after adding the cream.
- To make the dish dairy-free, use plant-based cream, vegan butter, and dairy-free parmesan.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
