Transform your dinner routine with a comforting, restaurant-quality meal made right in your own kitchen. This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta delivers robust flavors and satisfying textures in a single skillet. Imagine tender pan-grilled chicken breasts nestled among al dente sun-dried tomato noodles, all coated in a rich, creamy white sauce pasta. This is an elegant yet approachable garlic cheese poultry dish, perfect for any night of the week.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta quickly becomes a household favorite. It is designed for efficiency, coming together as a satisfying weeknight skillet dinner in under 30 minutes of active preparation time. The dish combines robust flavors from minced garlic, rich aged Parmesan cheese, and vibrant fresh herbs. Its straightforward method ensures a delicious outcome every time. Furthermore, this creamy chicken and pasta dish is highly adaptable, allowing you to use various pasta shapes to suit your preference.
Essential Ingredients
Gathering the right components is key to a flavorful Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the dish’s distinct taste and creamy texture.
- Dry pasta (8 oz): Penne, fettuccine, or your preferred short or long pasta shape works well.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb): These provide lean, tender protein that absorbs the sauce’s flavors.
- Olive oil (1 tbsp) & Butter (2 tbsp): The olive oil is for searing the chicken, while the butter forms the foundational base for the sauce.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Delivers the essential aromatic punch that defines this garlic cheese poultry dish.
- Heavy cream (1 cup) & Chicken broth (1/2 cup): These liquids combine to create the rich and smooth foundation for the creamy white sauce pasta.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1 cup): Melts into the sauce, adding a smooth, savory, and tangy coating to the noodles.
- Sun-dried tomatoes (1/3 cup, chopped): Contributes a tangy, slightly sweet, and chewy bite, complementing the richness of the sauce and creating vibrant sun-dried tomato noodles.
- Fresh parsley (2 tbsp): Brightens the final dish with a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Salt (1 tsp) & Black pepper (1/2 tsp): Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors within the creamy chicken and pasta.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect weeknight skillet dinner.
1. Boil the Noodles
Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 8 oz of dry pasta and cook according to package directions until it reaches an al dente texture. Before draining, make sure to reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. This will be used later to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
2. Sear the Chicken
Pat dry the 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breasts. Season them generously on both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a large skillet, warm 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet and pan-cook them for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until they are fully cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet, let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes, then slice it into even strips.
3. Build the Flavor Base
Lower the heat in the same skillet to medium. Add 2 tbsp of butter and allow it to melt completely. Once the butter is melted and slightly foaming, toss in the 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté the garlic for just 1 minute until it becomes fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
4. Simmer the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the 1/2 cup of chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits add depth of flavor to your creamy white sauce pasta. Next, stir in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. Melt the Cheese and Add Mix-ins
Turn the stove to low heat. Gradually whisk in the 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, adding it in small batches to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce without clumping. Continue whisking until the cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is velvety. Stir in the 1/3 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, distributing them evenly throughout the creamy garlic cheese poultry dish.
6. Combine and Garnish
Add the cooked noodles and the sliced pan-grilled chicken breasts back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring all the sun-dried tomato noodles and chicken are coated in the rich sauce. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Finally, top the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with 2 tbsp of fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
Achieving the perfect creamy garlic cheese poultry dish involves a few simple techniques:
- Fresh Cheese: Always grate your own block of Parmesan cheese. Pre-grated cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting smoothly, leading to a grainy sauce. Freshly grated cheese ensures your creamy white sauce pasta remains velvety.
- Heat Control: When adding dairy products like heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, maintain a low heat. High heat can cause the dairy to curdle, compromising the smooth texture of your sauce.
- Resting the Meat: Allowing the pan-grilled chicken breasts to rest for a few minutes after cooking and before slicing is crucial. This step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each strip of poultry remains tender and moist.
Tasty Variations and Add-ins
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is highly versatile. Consider these optional additions to customize your weeknight skillet dinner:
- Greens: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach or steamed broccoli florets during the last minute of cooking to add color and nutrients.
- Spice: A pinch of red pepper flakes can introduce a mild, pleasant kick to the creamy chicken and pasta, complementing the garlic and cheese.
- Different Proteins: For a change, shrimp or slices of cooked turkey can easily replace the chicken breasts in this recipe, adapting it to your protein preference.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have any delicious leftovers of this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy again, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add an extra splash of chicken broth or milk to the skillet as it warms. This helps to rehydrate the sauce and bring back its smooth, creamy texture, ensuring your sun-dried tomato noodles are as enjoyable the second time around.
Conclusion
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta offers an effortless way to bring a rich, flavorful, and satisfying meal to your table. Its quick preparation, robust flavors, and comforting creamy texture make it an ideal weeknight skillet dinner. We encourage you to try this delightful creamy chicken and pasta recipe tonight. For more recipes and culinary inspiration, be sure to follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568538666337.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry pasta penne or fettuccine
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 8 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Season the 1 lb of chicken breasts evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat the 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pan-cook the chicken in the skillet for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the 2 tbsp butter. Add the 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the 1/2 cup of chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the 1 cup of heavy cream and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the liquid begins to thicken.
- Turn the heat to low and gradually whisk in the 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Stir in the 1/3 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add the cooked pasta and sliced grilled chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the creamy white sauce is too thick.
- Garnish with the 2 tbsp of fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
For more daily recipes and tips, follow us on Facebook!
Click here to join our community!