Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (30-Minute Recipe!) Recipe
This creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is the ultimate weeknight comfort food. Golden seared chicken cubes are tossed with al dente fusilli pasta and coated in a velvety Parmesan cream sauce infused with fragrant garlic and Italian seasoning. Ready in just 30 minutes, it offers restaurant-quality taste with the ease of home cooking—perfect for a satisfying and indulgent dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 lb (450 g) twisted pasta (fusilli)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1½ cups chilled heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fine salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a rolling boil. Cook the fusilli pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water to use in the sauce later.
- Season and Sear Chicken: Pat the chicken cubes completely dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season with salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear without moving for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate but keep the pan juices in the skillet.
- Build Garlic Cream Base: Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Be attentive to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, using your spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the skillet’s bottom. Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Melt Parmesan: Reduce the heat to low and gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is velvety smooth without clumps.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken and its juices to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss thoroughly to coat everything in the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, add splashes of the reserved pasta water until it reaches a glossy, clingy consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot and delicious.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a smoother, creamier sauce; pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can cause clumping.
- Add Parmesan gradually to the sauce to prevent grainy texture and allow it to melt evenly.
- Pat chicken dry thoroughly before searing to achieve golden crust instead of steaming.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency and enhance silkiness.
- Serve immediately; cream sauces thicken and lose texture as they cool.
- Optional: Add a sprinkle of additional Parmesan and cracked black pepper at the table for extra flavor and presentation.
- Pair nicely with crusty garlic bread or a crisp Caesar salad to balance the richness.
Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, 30 minute chicken pasta, easy pasta dinner, creamy chicken pasta, fusilli pasta recipe, comfort food pasta
