Good evening, my dear friends, from a lovely, bustling Friday here in Rabat! After a busy week, there’s nothing I crave more than a hearty, satisfying meal that comes together without a fuss. That’s why I’m so excited to share my recipe for Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta! Imagine tender, juicy chicken pieces nestled in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. It’s the ultimate comfort food that perfectly balances indulgent flavors with incredibly simple preparation, making it an ideal weeknight dinner. Think of it as a much faster, simplified cousin to a classic Alfredo, but with all the cozy, savory goodness!
Serving Versatility
This pasta dish is a complete meal on its own, but it’s also wonderfully versatile! Serve it with a side of steamed green beans or asparagus for extra veggies, or alongside a crisp Caesar salad. For a low-carb option, you can even serve the chicken and sauce over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Full Recipe: My Go-To Creamy Chicken & Parmesan Pasta
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: Approximately 620 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for a truly rich butter recipes homemade feel!)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 8 ounces (about 2 cups) dried pasta, such as fettuccine, penne, or rotini
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet and melt. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is coated in the delicious creamy sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: This dish comes together in just 35 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Uses simple, accessible ingredients to create a luxurious-tasting meal.
- Big, cozy flavor: Rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying, thanks to the Parmesan and butter.
- Nutritional value: A hearty meal with lean protein from the chicken. You can lighten it up with a few swaps (see FAQs!).
- Customizability: Easily add vegetables or experiment with different herbs and cheeses.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
This recipe takes inspiration from classic Italian-American creamy pasta dishes, simplifying the traditional methods to create a faster, weeknight-friendly version. The key to its rich flavor is starting with a good sauté of the chicken and then building the creamy sauce in the same pan. This allows all those flavorful browned bits, called “fond,” to be incorporated into the sauce, adding depth and complexity. It’s a smart way to maximize flavor with minimal effort, even without making homemade butter!
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Pasta Bowl: Serve hot, garnished with plenty of fresh parsley and a generous dusting of extra Parmesan cheese.
- Green Side: Pair with a simple side salad or steamed green vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans to add freshness.
- Garlic Bread Love: A slice of warm, crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious creamy sauce.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle kick!
Pro Tips for Success
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Cook the chicken just until it’s done to keep it juicy and tender. Overcooked chicken can be dry.
- Al Dente Pasta: Cook your pasta to al dente (slightly firm to the bite). It will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the hot sauce.
- Reserve Pasta Water: That starchy pasta water is liquid gold! It helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling beautifully to the pasta. Don’t skip this step.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: For the best flavor and smoothest sauce, grate your own Parmesan from a block. Pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce slightly grainy.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Pasta with cream sauces can sometimes thicken quite a bit in the fridge. To reheat, warm individual portions gently in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
Closing Paragraph
I truly hope you adore this Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta as much as I do! It’s the perfect solution for when you want something comforting and delicious without spending ages in the kitchen. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that everyone will love. Please give it a try, and don’t forget to come back and leave a rating and a comment below to let me know how it turned out!
🎀 Final Thoughts
This pasta dish is pure joy for me. It’s creamy, savory, and just hits all the right comfort food notes. The fact that it’s so easy to whip up means it’s often on my menu when I need a little bit of culinary magic without the fuss. It’s simple, delicious, and always feels like a special treat.