Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Craving a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying dinner? Look no further! This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is about to become your new favorite weeknight meal. It's the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta, all in one delicious bowl. Family-friendly and ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is a surefire way to please even the pickiest eaters. It's also a fantastic way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken, making it both convenient and economical. Get ready to indulge in a taste of pure comfort!
Equipment
- Large skillet,
- Large pot
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound favorite pasta (penne, fettuccine, rotini, or spaghetti)
Chicken
- 1.5-2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken preferred)
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper
- as needed extra Parmesan cheese for serving
- optional fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue stirring until cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and shredded chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly with the sauce. If sauce is too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicier kick. Gluten-free pasta works well to make this dish gluten-free. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and tastes more intense than pre-grated cheese.