There’s something incredibly comforting about a creamy, garlicky pasta dinner — and this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe delivers just that with ease. It’s rich, satisfying, and perfect for busy nights or when you want to impress without fuss.

The dish shows a white plate filled with three layers: the bottom layer is short tube-shaped pasta in a creamy pale yellow sauce with green herb bits, the middle layer has slices of browned chicken with a light golden color, and the top layer is a sprinkle of grated white cheese and black pepper. A black fork rests on the right side of the plate. The background is a wooden table with a white marbled texture nearby and a soft, crumpled white cloth on the right side. In the upper left corner, part of a pan with more pasta is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe countless times, and it never fails to wow both weeknight diners and weekend guests. It’s got that delicious creamy sauce that clings to perfectly cooked penne, plus juicy chicken that stays tender every time.

One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in one pan—that means less cleanup for you but plenty of flavor complexity from those delicious browned bits.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce: It’s rich, cheesy, and loaded with fresh garlic that gives every bite a warm, irresistible flavor.
Perfectly Tender Chicken: Seasoned well and cooked just right so it stays juicy—no drying out here.
Quick and Easy: You can have this on the table in about 30 minutes, making it a fabulous go-to when life gets busy.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe has a purpose, coming together to create that ultra-creamy, flavorful dish you’ll crave. I always tell friends to pick good-quality parmesan and fresh garlic—it makes a noticeable difference!

Flat lay of a fresh boneless, skinless chicken breast, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of golden avocado oil, a small white bowl of unsalted butter cubes, half a jumbo yellow onion diced, six large garlic cloves peeled, a small white bowl of finely grated parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of heavy cream, two small white bowls—one containing chicken broth and the other Italian seasoning mixed with paprika, salt, and pepper, a handful of bright green chopped parsley, and a serving of dry penne pasta—all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken breast: Using butterflied or evenly pounded chicken cooks it quickly and keeps it juicy.
Italian seasoning: A mix of herbs that amps up the flavor of the chicken without overpowering it.
Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth and beautiful color to the chicken.
Avocado or olive oil: Great for cooking chicken and veggies without overpowering the garlic butteriness.
Unsalted butter: Brings richness to the sauce and helps soften the onions beautifully.
Yellow onion: Sweet and mild, it provides a perfect base for the sauce.
Garlic: Fresh, minced garlic is key for that savory punch that defines this dish.
Penne pasta: Holds the sauce exceptionally well—in my opinion, it’s the ideal pasta shape here.
Chicken broth: Keeps the pasta moist as it cooks and deepens the flavor overall.
Parmesan cheese: Finely grated for the smoothest, creamiest melt into the sauce.
Heavy cream: Creates the luscious texture that coats everything beautifully.
Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a subtle freshness to finish the dish.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is how adaptable it is. I like to tweak it depending on what I have at hand or the season. Feel free to make it your own!

Variation: Sometimes I swap the penne for gluten-free pasta or spiralized veggies for a lighter spin—everyone still loves it!
Spice it up: Adding red pepper flakes while cooking the garlic gives it a nice kick if that’s your style.
Veggie boost: Toss in some sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and color.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

A white plate is filled with a creamy penne pasta mixed with grilled chicken strips. The penne is coated in a light yellow sauce with visible herbs like parsley scattered throughout. The grilled chicken pieces are medium brown with slightly charred edges and are layered evenly on top and within the pasta. There is a black fork placed inside the pasta on the plate. Behind the plate, a shiny stainless steel pan holds more of the same pasta dish. The background is a wooden table with a white cloth napkin to the side, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season the Chicken Like a Pro

I start by mixing the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper, then rubbing it generously on both sides of the chicken you’ve pounded to an even thickness. This helps it cook evenly and soak up all that herb goodness.

Step 2: Perfectly Sear Your Chicken

Heat your pan over medium high heat, add avocado oil, and sizzle that chicken for 3-5 minutes per side. When the outside looks golden and the internal temp hits 165°F, remove it and let it rest. This resting is essential—it keeps the meat juicy when you slice it later.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Turn the heat down to medium low, toss in a little more oil and butter, then add diced onion sprinkled with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic last because it cooks quickly—just about a minute to release those amazing aromas.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta in the Broth

Deglaze your pan with chicken broth, scraping up those tasty browned bits from the bottom. Bring it to a light boil. Then add your dry penne, stirring well to submerge it under the broth. Cover and let it cook for 10 minutes until al dente—this method infuses the pasta with flavor from the start.

Step 5: Creamy Finish and Combine

Turn off the heat, add parmesan, heavy cream, and parsley. Stir gently until the cheese melts and your sauce thickens up. Slice your rested chicken and fold it into the pasta. Give everything a good toss to mix those delicious flavors and serve immediately.

Top Tip

From my experience with this recipe, a few little tricks make all the difference between a “just okay” dinner and a truly standout dish.

Pat chicken dry: Removing moisture before seasoning helps it brown beautifully instead of steaming.
Don’t skip resting the chicken: This keeps it juicy, so it won’t dry out when sliced and tossed with pasta.
Stir carefully after adding cheese: Parmesan melts best gently, preventing clumps.
Use fresh garlic: It makes the sauce come alive — not a jarred garlic powder substitute in sight.

How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

garlic parmesan chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and an extra dusting of parmesan. Sometimes, I add a few chili flakes for a subtle heat. These simple touches really freshen and brighten up the creamy richness.

Side Dishes

A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted veggies like asparagus or broccoli balance this creamy pasta perfectly. Garlic bread on the side wouldn’t hurt either if you’re feeling indulgent!

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I serve the pasta in shallow bowls and garnish with lemon zest and a sprig of parsley. You can also stuff the chicken with some mozzarella before cooking for a fun twist that looks impressive on the plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken - just add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to loosen it up.

Freezing

While I usually prefer fresh, you can freeze this dish for up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

Reheat leftover pasta on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or cream to keep it silky. Microwave works too—just cover and heat in short intervals, stirring in between to prevent drying.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe