30-Minute Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: Your Quick & Decadent Weeknight Delight!

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Easy 30-Minute Dinner!)

Introduction

Few dishes strike the perfect balance between comfort and simplicity like Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. This luxurious, velvety pasta is loaded with juicy chicken, aromatic garlic, and heaps of nutty Parmesan wrapped in a luscious cream sauce. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or something to impress a table of hungry guests, this pasta delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss—all in just 30 minutes.

Deliciously Unique Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

What sets this recipe apart is its bold yet balanced flavor profile: the aromatic punch of garlic, the umami of Parmesan, and the succulence of chicken breast, all complemented by a decadent creamy sauce. Every bite is rich, satisfying, and perfectly seasoned, making it a perennial crowd favorite. Plus, the one-pan preparation means fewer dishes and more time spent enjoying your meal.

Preparing the Perfect Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce

The key to this sauce is sautéing fresh garlic until fragrant—never burned—then quickly creating a roux with butter and a hint of flour. Add cream, then slowly fold in the Parmesan to melt for a silky, restaurant-worthy finish. For a little flavor boost, finish with a crack of black pepper and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Rest the sauce for a couple of minutes before tossing with the pasta and chicken to allow the flavors to marry beautifully.

Assembling Your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

After cooking the pasta and pan-searing the chicken, toss everything together in the creamy sauce so every noodle gets a coating of cheesy, garlicky goodness. For extra wow-factor, you can top it with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil for shine. Serve right away while it’s piping hot and enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Chicken Pasta

Garnish your plate with freshly chopped parsley and a wedge of lemon for freshness. Pair with a simple green salad or garlic bread to round out your meal. This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a dazzling entrée on its own but can be part of a larger meal for any occasion.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty servings. Each serving contains approximately 550-650 calories, depending on your ingredient choices and portion sizes. It’s a rich, satisfying main dish best enjoyed with family or friends.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Recap)

Quick to make, deeply savory, and irresistibly creamy—this dish covers all the bases for a winning weeknight dinner! Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta earns rave reviews for both its ease and flavor, making it a go-to recipe for any home chef.

Ingredients

8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite-size pieces
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (or half and half for lighter option)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Optional: Lemon wedges and crushed red pepper flakes

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a shopping list sorted by grocery store section—perfect for streamlined meal planning and efficient shopping trips.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Sprinkle in flour, stir to make a roux, and cook 1 minute.
  6. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Add grated Parmesan, stirring until melted and smooth.
  8. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to coat everything in the sauce.
  9. Stir in fresh parsley, season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot. Garnish with extra Parmesan, parsley, lemon wedges, or a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This pasta recipe is a game changer for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI and instantly organize your shopping list for all planned dinners—no more missed ingredients, duplicate purchases, or last-minute store trips.

Planning Benefits:

  • Calculates exact ingredient totals for all scheduled meals
  • Automatically sorts your shopping list by store aisle
  • Eliminates repeated buys and forgotten items
  • Keeps your weekly meal prep organized and efficient

Pro tip: Plan your entire week in advance, mix and match recipes like this one, and let CookifyAI optimize your shopping list to reduce food waste and grocery expenses. If multiple recipes use Parmesan or chicken, the app consolidates quantities for flawless meal planning.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Save Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta to your meal plan with CookifyAI and make every weeknight easy, delicious, and totally organized!

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