Rich, cozy, weeknight comfort
This creamy parmesan chicken pasta is the kind of comforting dinner that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together easily at home. Juicy seasoned chicken, tender pasta, and a rich parmesan cream sauce create a cozy, satisfying meal the whole family will love. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen. With simple pantry ingredients and one pan for the sauce, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal cleanup. Whether you’re cooking for family or guests, this parmesan chicken pasta is guaranteed to earn repeat requests.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4–6
📝 Ingredients List
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)
- 2 large chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large pot for pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain. - Season the chicken
Season sliced chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. - Cook the chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside 🍗 - Make the sauce base
Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter, add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant 😊 - Build the cream sauce
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. - Add parmesan
Stir in grated parmesan until melted and smooth. Sauce should look glossy and creamy ✨ - Combine everything
Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss well, adding pasta water as needed for a silky sauce. - Finish & serve
Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan before serving 🍝
💡 Pro Tips
- Grate parmesan fresh for the smoothest sauce—pre-shredded won’t melt as well.
- If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of pasta water or milk.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for an easy upgrade.
🍽️ Perfect For
Busy weeknights • Family dinners • Comfort food cravings • Casual entertaining
