You know those nights? The ones where you look in the fridge and it’s practically empty, but your stomach is rumbling louder than thunder? I’ve been there, my friend, and it’s exactly why I became obsessed with making amazing Easy Dinner Recipes: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta With Pantry Staples. I remember one evening, after a super long day, I peeked in my pantry and only saw the basics—pasta, a bulb of garlic maybe, some cream, and a sprinkle of parmesan. Not exactly a gourmet spread! But you know what? I decided to whip up something anyway. As the garlic bloomed in butter and the cheese melted into that creamy sauce, the whole kitchen just filled with the most comforting smells. That first bite? Pure magic. It proved to me that sometimes, the very best meals come from what you already have. It’s why this creamy garlic parmesan couldn’t be a more perfect weeknight staple – a dish that’s proof positive how incredible pantry cooking can be.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Seriously, this pasta is a weeknight dream come true! Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
- Speedy Setup: It’s genuinely ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy evenings.
- Super Easy: I promise, even if you’re not a pro, you can nail this. The steps are straightforward!
- Flavor Explosion: Creamy, garlicky, cheesy – it hits all the right notes without being complicated.
- Pantry Powerhouse: It uses ingredients you probably already have hiding in your cupboards. So clever!
Pantry Staples for Easy Dinner Recipes
You know, it’s funny how a well-stocked pantry can be your best friend on a night when the fridge is looking a little sad. That’s the real magic behind Easy Dinner Recipes: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta With Pantry Staples – it’s all about creating something spectacular from what you likely already have. Having these basic ingredients on hand means you can whip up a delicious, comforting meal without a last-minute grocery run. It’s less stress, more flavour, and totally doable!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to pull this off. Most of this stuff probably lives in your kitchen right now!
For the Pasta:
- 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
For the Chicken:
- 3 thin-sliced chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons flour, cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk or 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or your favorite heavy cream alternative!)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, but I love a little kick!)
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 ounces baby spinach
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this Easy Dinner Recipes: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta With Pantry Staples is honestly a breeze. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up something so delicious and maybe even think about trying something like this lemon butter garlic shrimp pasta next time! I always tell people it’s like a little bit of kitchen magic happens in under 30 minutes!
Cooking the Pasta to Perfection
First things first, get a big pot of water boiling. Don’t forget to salt it generously – that’s where the flavor starts! Cook your penne according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. You know, that bite that’s just right? Drain it and set it aside. Trust me, you’ll want to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get mushy!
Preparing the Chicken
Now for the chicken. Grab those thin-sliced breasts and give them a good sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the Italian seasoning. Heat up a skillet over medium heat with a little bit of butter. Cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on each side, just until it’s cooked through and golden brown. Nobody likes undercooked chicken, right? Once it’s done, take it out of the pan and let it rest for a few minutes. This keeps it super juicy!
Creating the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Keep that same skillet going. If it looks a little dry, toss in another tablespoon of butter. Add your minced garlic and that splash of lemon juice – it really brightens things up! Let it sizzle for just about 30 seconds until you can smell that amazing garlic aroma. Next, whisk in the flour and cook it for a minute, just to get rid of that raw flour taste. Now for the creamy part! Pour in your coconut milk or heavy cream and whisk it all together. Let it thicken up a bit – this is where our gorgeous garlic butter sauce really takes shape. Turn off the heat, and stir in the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (if you’re feeling brave!), and that beautiful finely grated Parmesan cheese. Watch it all melt into a glorious, cheesy sauce!
Bringing It All Together
Here’s the fun part! Toss your cooked pasta right into that creamy sauce. Add your baby spinach – it looks like a lot, but it wilts down super fast. Give it a good stir until the spinach is all wilted and coated. Slice up that rested chicken and arrange it on top, or you can chop it up and toss it right in. A little extra sprinkle of Parmesan on top never hurt anyone, right?
Tips for Success with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
You know, I’ve made this Easy Dinner Recipes: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta With Pantry Staples so many times, I’ve picked up a few little tricks to make it absolutely foolproof every single time. It’s all about those small details! For instance, if you’re out of heavy cream, don’t stress! Full-fat coconut milk is a fantastic heavy cream alternative and adds a subtle richness without tasting overly coconutty, especially with all that garlic and Parmesan. Also, make sure your skillet is hot enough when you start cooking the chicken – that gives it a beautiful sear and keeps it tender. And seriously, don’t skimp on the Parmesan; fresh, finely grated cheese melts so much better than the pre-shredded stuff, which can sometimes have anti-caking agents that mess with the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Easy Dinner Recipe
Got questions about whipping up this amazing Easy Dinner Recipes: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with Pantry Staples? I’ve got you covered! It’s a super versatile dish, so don’t be afraid to tweak it a bit!
Can I use different types of pasta?
Absolutely! This creamy sauce is happy with almost any pasta shape. Penne is great, but fettuccine, rotini, or even shells would be delicious. Just cook it al dente!
What if I don’t have fresh garlic?
No fresh garlic? No problem! You can swap in about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for the minced garlic. Just add it with the flour when you’re making the sauce.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Easy! Just skip the chicken altogether. You could also toss in some roasted mushrooms, broccoli, or even some white beans for a heartier vegetarian option.
Serving and Storing Your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
This pasta is fantastic all on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a crisp side salad or some crusty garlic bread – both are perfect for soaking up any extra sauce! If you happen to have leftovers (and who can blame you if you don’t?), just pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep well for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find that a gentle warm-up on the stovetop over low heat, maybe with a tiny splash of milk or cream to loosen things up, works best. You can also zap it in the microwave, just stir it halfway through to make sure it heats evenly.
Nutritional Information
Please remember that these are just estimates, and the actual nutritional values can change based on the specific ingredients you use, like the type of cream or the exact amount of cheese! Generally, one serving of this pasta dish will be around 550-650 calories, with roughly 25-35g of fat, 30-40g of protein, and 45-55g of carbohydrates.
Share Your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Creation!
I absolutely LOVE hearing from you all! Have you tried this amazingly simple Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta yet? Let me know what you thought in the comments below! Did you add any fun twists? I’d be thrilled if you could leave a quick rating, and don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact page with any questions or your own kitchen triumphs!
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Boil water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Season chicken with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Add more butter to the pan if needed. Add garlic and lemon juice and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add flour and mix until slightly browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Whisk in the coconut milk or heavy cream. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and creamy.
- Turn off the heat. Add salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and spinach.
- Stir until the spinach is wilted. Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Top with the sliced chicken, more Parmesan, and serve.
Notes
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Sean Patterson is a seasoned kitchen skills educator who has built a reputation for helping home cooks master the fundamentals while exploring bold, approachable flavors. Known for his clear teaching style, reliable recipe structures, and passion for seasonal cooking, Sean creates dishes that are as practical as they are memorable. Today, he shares his expertise as a contributing author at chomzi.com, where he is committed to elevating everyday cooking through smart techniques and well-tested recipes.
Sean’s culinary path began in neighborhood restaurants, where he worked his way up from prep cook to sous-chef, learning firsthand how food, discipline, and creativity come together in a professional kitchen. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong interest in teaching others—leading Sean to transition from restaurant work into culinary content creation and instructional recipe writing. By combining his kitchen background with a talent for communication, he developed a writing style that makes cooking feel intuitive instead of intimidating.
Throughout his career, Sean has collaborated with food startups, cooking instructors, and local producers to develop educational content, recipe series, and cooking demonstrations. His recipes have been highlighted in online cooking communities and featured in curated roundups for their clarity, flavor, and repeat-worthy results. He continues to refine his craft through research, kitchen experimentation, and hands-on testing, always focused on creating recipes that deliver success for cooks at every level.
