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

Introduction

When quick weeknight dinners need to deliver both comfort and satisfying flavor, few dishes can compete with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. This 30-minute meal offers a luscious, velvety sauce enveloping tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s hearty enough for hungry families but sophisticated enough for guests—a dish designed to please every palate without monopolizing your evening.

Why This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Stands Out

The real magic of this recipe lies in its rich, creamy sauce: a seamless blend of fresh garlic, parmesan, and a hint of cream. The sauce clings luxuriously to the pasta and chicken, imbuing every bite with layers of flavor. With simple steps and familiar, everyday ingredients, this pasta is the ultimate go-to dinner that’s both quick and deeply satisfying.

Crafting the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Start by sautéing fresh garlic until fragrant—it’s the heart of the dish. Whisk in heavy cream and parmesan to create a silky, aromatic sauce. Balance the richness with a dash of chicken broth and a sprinkle of black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently to thicken and let flavors meld.

Bringing It All Together

Sear the chicken until golden and juicy, slice it thin, and toss it with your cooked pasta and sauce. Don’t forget a handful of chopped parsley for a fresh, eye-catching finish. Serve immediately for supremely creamy texture, or make ahead and reheat gently with a splash of milk to keep things smooth.

Serving Suggestions to Elevate Your Dinner Table

For a splash of color and extra nutrition, add sautéed spinach or roasted cherry tomatoes just before serving. A sprinkle of extra parmesan and cracked black pepper creates an irresistible finishing touch. Pair with crusty garlic bread or a simple green salad for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each plate contains approximately 600–700 calories, depending on your choice of pasta and cream. It’s a cozy, indulgent dinner ideal for powering through busy days.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Recap)

Quick, indulgent, and always a hit—this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta has everything you want in a practical weeknight meal and all the flavor complexity of your favorite restaurant dish.

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

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Meanwhile, season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove, let rest for a few minutes, then slice thinly.
3. Reduce skillet heat to medium. In the same pan, add garlic and sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Whisk, scraping up any bits from the pan. Stir in parmesan cheese and let simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
5. Return chicken and cooked pasta to the pan. Toss to combine—the sauce should coat everything evenly. If needed, add reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, until desired sauce consistency is reached.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Garnish with parsley (and optional sautéed spinach or tomatoes) before serving. Enjoy immediately!

Weekly Meal Planning

This simple, flavorful pasta is ideal for busy households and prepping ahead. Save and schedule this recipe to your weekly meal plan to effortlessly generate smart, consolidated shopping lists from all your scheduled recipes—no more forgotten parmesan or duplicate garlic purchases!

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates the total quantities of ingredients across all recipes
• Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section
• Eliminates duplicates, saving time and money
• Makes batch-cooking multiple meals a breeze

Pro tip: Schedule your dinners to see at a glance where ingredients overlap—so if another meal uses cream or parmesan, you’ll buy just the right amount, leading to less food waste and more efficient spending.

Cook and Prep Times

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

Enjoy the creamy, garlicky goodness of this fast, flavor-packed dinner and make your weeknights deliciously hassle-free!