Like a warm hug on a plate, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta combines the best of Italian-American comfort food into one irresistible dish. You’ll find tender chicken pieces nestled in silky strands of pasta, all enveloped in a rich sauce that’s bursting with garlic and sharp parmesan flavors. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing dinner guests, this 30-minute masterpiece delivers restaurant-quality results that’ll have everyone asking for your culinary secrets.
Key Takeaways
- Quick Italian-American dish combining tender chicken pieces, pasta, and a rich sauce made with garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.
- Cook chicken until golden brown in olive oil, then create sauce by sautéing garlic and simmering with heavy cream.
- Cook pasta in well-salted water until al dente, ensuring proper texture for the final dish.
- Fresh parmesan cheese and properly thickened cream sauce are essential for achieving restaurant-quality flavor.
- Total preparation time is under 30 minutes, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
History
While creamy pasta dishes have long been associated with Italian cuisine, the specific combination of garlic, parmesan, and chicken in a cream sauce emerged during the rise of Italian-American restaurants in the mid-20th century.
You’ll find this dish’s roots in the bustling kitchens of New York and Chicago, where Italian immigrants adapted their traditional recipes to American tastes and ingredients.
Recipe
This classic Italian-American pasta dish combines tender chicken pieces with a luxuriously creamy garlic and parmesan sauce. The result is a restaurant-quality meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes using simple, readily available ingredients.
The key to this dish lies in the perfect balance between the sharp, salty parmesan cheese and the sweet, mellow flavor of heavy cream and garlic. When combined with perfectly cooked pasta and juicy chicken, it creates a comforting meal that’s both elegant and satisfying.
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Meanwhile, cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook chicken until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing until well coated. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
For the best results, avoid using pre-grated parmesan cheese as it contains anti-caking agents that can prevent proper melting. If the sauce becomes too thick, add small amounts of pasta cooking water to achieve desired consistency.
The pasta will continue to absorb sauce as it sits, so serve immediately while hot. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though the sauce may need to be thinned when reheating.
Cooking Steps
You’ll love how this recipe breaks down into simple steps that flow together perfectly!
Start by getting all your ingredients prepped and measured while bringing a large pot of water to boil for the pasta, then cook your chicken pieces until they’re golden brown and juicy.
Once you’ve created the creamy garlic sauce and melted in the parmesan cheese, you’ll toss everything together with the cooked pasta for an incredibly satisfying meal.
Step 1. Prepare Ingredients Before Cooking
Before diving into the cooking process, gathering and prepping your ingredients will make this creamy pasta dish a breeze to prepare!
Start by measuring out 2 cups of heavy cream and grating 1 cup of fresh parmesan cheese – you’ll love how smoothly it melts! Slice your chicken breasts into even, bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes) and set them aside.
Peel and mince 4 cloves of garlic until they’re fine and fragrant. Fill a large pot with water for your pasta and add a generous pinch of salt.
Having everything ready to go means you won’t need to stop mid-cooking to prep ingredients. Line up your prepped items near the stove in the order you’ll use them – it’s a chef’s secret for stress-free cooking!
Step 2. Boil Water for Pasta
A large pot of rapidly boiling water forms the foundation of perfectly cooked pasta!
You’ll need at least 6 quarts of water for a pound of fettuccine to ensure the noodles have plenty of room to swim and cook evenly.
Fill your largest pot with cold water and place it on your stove’s most powerful burner.
Turn the heat to high and add 2 tablespoons of salt once the water starts to bubble – this will flavor your pasta from the inside out!
Don’t add oil to the water, as it’ll prevent the sauce from sticking to your noodles later.
Wait for the water to reach a rolling boil with large, vigorous bubbles breaking the surface.
Now you’re ready to add your pasta and create the base for this incredible dish!
Step 3. Cook Chicken Until Browned
While your pasta water builds to a rolling boil, let’s focus on creating perfectly browned chicken that’ll make this dish irresistible!
Cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add your chicken pieces in a single layer – don’t overcrowd the pan!
Season with salt and pepper, then let the pieces cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until they develop a beautiful golden crust.
Flip each piece and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and no pink remains. You’ll know it’s done when the outside is gorgeously browned and the inside is perfectly tender!
Step 4. Create Garlic Cream Sauce
Let’s transform those golden chicken pieces into a luxurious garlic cream sauce!
Push your chicken to the sides of the skillet, creating a space in the center for your garlic to bloom.
Add the minced garlic and let it sizzle for just 30 seconds until it’s wonderfully fragrant – but don’t let it brown, or it’ll turn bitter.
Now’s the exciting part!
Pour in your 2 cups of heavy cream, stirring gently to combine it with the garlic and chicken.
You’ll start to see the cream bubble softly around the edges.
Let it simmer for about 3 minutes while stirring occasionally.
Add your freshly grated parmesan cheese and watch as it melts into the cream, creating a velvety smooth sauce that’ll perfectly coat every strand of pasta!
Step 5. Combine Pasta With Sauce
Now that your luscious sauce is ready, it’s time to unite it with the pasta for a perfect marriage of flavors!
Drain your al dente pasta, but reserve 1 cup of the starchy cooking water – it’s your secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency.
Add the cooked pasta directly to your skillet of warm, creamy sauce. Using tongs, gently toss the pasta until every strand is gloriously coated with the garlic-parmesan goodness.
If the sauce seems too thick, add splashes of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. The sauce should smoothly coat the back of a spoon while clinging beautifully to the pasta.
Give everything a final toss, and you’re ready to serve this restaurant-worthy dish!
Final Thoughts
Although this creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta takes just minutes to prepare, it delivers the kind of rich, comforting flavors you’d expect from a high-end Italian restaurant!
You’ll find this dish becomes a family favorite in no time. The secret lies in using freshly grated parmesan and not rushing the cream sauce as it thickens. For extra indulgence, sprinkle some additional parmesan on top before serving.
Don’t forget to save a cup of pasta water – it’s your backup plan if the sauce needs thinning later.
This recipe easily serves 4-6 people, making it perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days, though the sauce may need a splash of cream when reheating to restore its silky texture.
