Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta (Printable)
Silky garlic-parmesan cream coats tender chicken and fettuccine for a satisfying weeknight meal in about 35 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Pasta
02 - 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish
→ Dairy
06 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, optional
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To Make:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine or linguine according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - Butterfly the chicken breasts and season both sides with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs if using.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate, cover loosely, and let rest.
04 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Sauté chopped onion for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet.
06 - Add heavy cream and bring sauce to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Slice cooked chicken breasts thinly. Return sliced chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to coat in the sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to adjust consistency as desired.
08 - Stir in chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dreamy garlic sauce coats every bite—sneaking in that rich flavor without being heavy-handed.
- Its fast enough for busy evenings but makes you feel like you set aside time for something special.
02 -
- Turning the heat too high after adding cream can split the sauce—keep it low and be patient.
- Reserving a little pasta water truly makes the sauce cling to noodles (I learned this after one watery disaster!).
03 -
- Warming the serving bowls keeps the pasta hot and the sauce luscious right to the end.
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing ensures every piece stays juicy and tender.