Description
This Cheesy Garlic Chicken Pasta is pure comfort in a bowl tender bites of chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, ultra-creamy garlic cheese sauce. It’s the kind of cozy, satisfying dish that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together quickly in a single skillet, perfect for busy weeknights or indulgent weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced chicken to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Slowly stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan, a handful at a time, until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat it evenly in the cheesy garlic sauce.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, taste, and adjust with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Remove from the heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, tastiest sauce it melts better and adds more flavor than pre-grated cheese.
- If the sauce gets too thick, thin it with a splash of reserved pasta water or a bit more cream until it reaches your ideal consistency.
- Season the chicken generously at the start; this builds flavor throughout the entire dish.
- Serve immediately for the creamiest texture, as the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg (estimate, will vary with cheese and salt)
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: cheesy garlic chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, garlic parmesan pasta, easy weeknight dinner