Weeknight • Pasta
Weeknight Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
A super simple yet incredibly flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Sometimes, you just need a big bowl of comforting pasta that tastes amazing but doesn't require a culinary degree. Enter our Weeknight Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta! This dish is pure comfort – tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luscious, savory garlic Parmesan sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. It's an instant crowd-pleaser and your new go-to for busy evenings!
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti work well)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Stir in red pepper flakes if using.
Step 4
Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Step 5
Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired sauce consistency.
Step 6
Stir in chopped fresh parsley. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted broccoli.
- Don't overcook the garlic; burnt garlic can turn bitter.
- A touch of lemon zest at the end can brighten up the flavors beautifully.
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