Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (30-Minute Recipe!)

After a long day, what’s the one dish that feels both comforting and just a little indulgent? For many of us, it’s a generous bowl of creamy, flavorful pasta. But too often, these dishes get reserved for weekends or restaurant outings, because we assume they’re too time-consuming for a weeknight.

Here’s the good news: you can bring that five-star pasta experience to your table in just 30 minutes.

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate one-pan recipe—simple, satisfying, and downright comforting. Imagine tender, golden-brown chicken paired with perfectly cooked pasta, all coated in a rich, velvety garlic Parmesan sauce. With just a few easy steps, you’ll have a dish that feels luxurious but comes together effortlessly, making it your new go-to for busy nights.

This recipe relies on simple, high-impact ingredients to create a restaurant-quality sauce in minutes. The secret to the silkiest, most decadent texture? Freshly grated Parmesan cheese—it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties, giving the sauce its signature richness.

Timing

This entire decadent meal comes together in about the same time it takes to boil the pasta, making it the perfect go-to for a busy evening.

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

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

This process is broken down into a few simple phases, building flavour in the same pan for a delicious result and easy cleanup.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Sear the Chicken

The key to a quick meal is multitasking! Let’s get the pasta and chicken going.

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Before draining, be sure to reserve about ½ cup of the starchy cooking water, which will help bind and enrich the sauce later. While the pasta is cooking, pat the chicken cubes dry with a paper towel, then season them well with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning. In a large skillet, melt one tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. When the butter is hot and shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 3–4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Luscious Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Using the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic along with a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’d like some heat, and sauté for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly until the garlic is wonderfully fragrant—just be careful not to let it burn. Next, pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon for maximum flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and the rest of the Italian seasoning, then let the mixture come to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes so it can thicken slightly. Reduce the heat to low and slowly sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan, stirring until it melts completely into the sauce, creating a luxuriously smooth and velvety texture.

Step 3: Combine Everything for the Grand Finale

Now that all the components are ready, it’s time to bring them together. Return the seared chicken—along with any flavorful juices that collected on the plate—back into the skillet with the cream sauce, then add the drained pasta. Using tongs, gently toss everything until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the rich garlic Parmesan sauce. If the sauce feels a little too thick, simply loosen it with a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches the perfect silky consistency. The starch in the water helps the sauce cling beautifully to every strand of pasta. Finish by tasting and adjusting with a pinch more salt and pepper if needed, then serve right away with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley on top.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Healthier Alternatives

While this dish is a fantastic treat, here are a few simple swaps to make it a bit lighter:

• Lighter Cream Sauce: You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk for a sauce with less fat. The final result will be slightly less rich but still delicious.
• Add Vegetables: Boost the nutritional value by adding some vegetables. Try wilting a few large handfuls of fresh spinach into the sauce at the end, or stirring in some steamed broccoli florets or sun-dried tomatoes.
• Whole Wheat Pasta: For a boost of fiber, you can use your favorite whole wheat pasta variety.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta is a hearty and complete meal all on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides.

• With a Fresh Salad: A simple green salad with a bright, zesty lemon or balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect counterpoint to the rich, creamy pasta sauce.
• With Garlic Bread: A slice of warm, crusty garlic bread is non-negotiable for some! It’s perfect for sopping up every last bit of that delicious Parmesan cream sauce.
• With a Steamed Vegetable: A side of simple steamed asparagus or roasted broccoli adds a nice touch of color and freshness to the plate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these simple tips to ensure your creamy chicken pasta is flawless every time.

• Overcrowding the Pan: Piling all the chicken into the skillet at once will trap steam and prevent you from getting that beautiful, crispy, flavourful crust.
  • Solution: Always cook the chicken in a single layer. If your pan isn’t big enough, it’s always better to cook it in two separate batches.
• A Grainy Sauce: This is usually caused by using pre-shredded Parmesan cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
  • Solution: For the smoothest, most velvety sauce, always buy a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself. It makes a huge difference! Also, be sure to add the cheese over very low heat.
• Burning the Garlic: Burnt garlic has a harsh, bitter flavour that can ruin your entire sauce.
  • Solution: Sauté the garlic for only 30-60 seconds over medium heat. As soon as you can smell it, it’s ready for the liquid.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Leftovers of this dish are a fantastic treat for lunch the next day!

• Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: The cream sauce will thicken considerably as it cools. The best way to reheat this dish is gently in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth and stir frequently until the sauce has loosened and the pasta is warmed through.

Conclusion

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the perfect proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create a truly spectacular and indulgent meal. It’s a dish that masterfully combines the comforting appeal of cheesy pasta with the savory satisfaction of perfectly seared chicken. This is a recipe that is guaranteed to impress your family and become a new favorite in your 30-minute meal rotation.

We are so excited for you to try this incredibly delicious and easy recipe. Give it a go on your next busy weeknight and let us know what you think in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more quick and easy dinner inspiration.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be incredibly juicy and flavourful in this recipe. They may need a few extra minutes of cooking time per side to ensure they are cooked through.

Q2. Can I make this dish with shrimp instead of chicken?

Yes, this recipe is fantastic with shrimp! Season the raw, peeled and deveined shrimp with the same spices. Sear them for just 1-2 minutes per side until they are pink and opaque. Remove them from the pan and proceed with the sauce, adding them back at the very end with the pasta.

Q3. What is the best way to grate Parmesan cheese?

The easiest way to grate a block of Parmesan is with a microplane for a fine, fluffy texture that melts beautifully. A standard box grater’s small holes also work very well.