You know those nights? The ones where you get home and the thought of actual cooking feels utterly overwhelming? Yeah, me too. That’s exactly how this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta came to be – my ultimate weapon for those Easy Dinner Recipes: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta For Weeknight Wins emergencies! It’s the kind of magic that happens when you toss a few simple ingredients together and end up with something so incredibly rich and comforting, you’d swear it took hours. Trust me, this dish has saved me more times than I can count when I just needed a delicious, fuss-free meal.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Seriously, this pasta is a weeknight hero for so many reasons! It’s the *perfect* comfort food that makes you feel like you’ve spent ages in the kitchen, but guess what? It’s actually a total breeze. Check out why this will become your new go-to:
- It’s Ridiculously Easy: Even if you’re not a seasoned chef, you can totally nail this. The steps are super straightforward and forgiving.
- Super Speed: We’re talking about a delicious, home-cooked meal on the table in about 45 minutes total – some might even call it one of their favorite Thirty Minute Meals!
- Flavor Bomb Alert: The creamy garlic parmesan sauce is pure indulgence. It’s rich, savory, and just coats everything perfectly. So good!
- Minimal Mess: Who loves doing dishes after a long day? Not me! This recipe is designed for pretty Easy Cleanup, so you can relax instead of scrubbing.
- Pure Comfort: This dish just wraps you up in a warm hug. It’s hearty, satisfying, and exactly what you need when you want to unwind.
Gather Your Ingredients for Easy Dinner Recipes
Okay, let’s get our game faces on and gather everything we need for this amazing pasta! The best part about this creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta is that you probably have half of these on hand already. Just a quick reminder, using fresh ingredients like real garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a HUGE difference – trust me on this one!
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs Chicken tenderloins (or boneless skinless chicken thighs work too!)
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 2 tbsp Salted butter
- 2 Shallots, diced (these are like milder, sweeter onions – so good!)
- 8 cloves Garlic, minced (don’t be shy with the garlic, please!)
- 4 sprigs Thyme, stems removed
- 1 cup Dry white wine (use something you’d like to drink!)
- 2 tbsp All purpose flour
- 2 tsp Chicken bouillon paste (this packs a punch of flavor!)
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 4 oz Cream cheese
- 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (seriously, grate your own!)
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Hot sauce (just a little kick, you can adjust!)
- 3 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
- 12 oz Pasta (your favorite kind will work!)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic really happens. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a restaurant-worthy pasta dish ready in no time, proving that truly delicious Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is totally achievable on even the busiest nights.
Prepare the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
First things first, grab your chicken. Pat it super dry with paper towels – this helps it get a nice golden-brown sear instead of just steaming. Toss those chicken tenderloins in a big bowl and sprinkle them with smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix so every piece is coated. Heat up your skillet with a glug of olive oil over medium heat. Once it’s nice and hot, lay the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan, or it won’t brown properly! Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until it’s cooked through and has a lovely color. Then, just pop it onto a plate, cover it loosely with foil, and let it rest while we make this amazing sauce.
Crafting the Rich Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Now for the star of the show – that dreamy sauce! Into the same skillet (no need to wash it, all those tasty browned bits are flavor!), melt your butter. Toss in the diced shallots and let them get soft and sweet for about 4-5 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and thyme, and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant – careful not to burn the garlic! Pour in that white wine and let it bubble away for about 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol and reduce slightly. Next, whisk in the flour and chicken bouillon paste until you have a smooth, thin paste. This is going to thicken our sauce beautifully. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly, and then add the cream cheese. Keep stirring until the cream cheese melts into the sauce, making it wonderfully smooth and luscious. It’s giving me serious lemon butter garlic shrimp pasta vibes with all this creamy goodness going on!
Cooking the Pasta and Combining Everything
While the sauce is doing its thing, get a big pot of salted water boiling for your pasta. Cook it until it’s perfectly al dente, you know, with just a little bite to it. Before you drain it, scoop out about a cup of that starchy pasta water – it’s liquid gold for adjusting your sauce! Drain the pasta and add it straight into the skillet with the sauce. If your sauce looks a *little* too thick, add a splash of that reserved pasta water to loosen it up until it coats the pasta just right. Slice up your rested chicken and add it to the pan, along with any yummy juices that came off it. Give everything a good toss to make sure every strand of pasta and piece of chicken is coated in that glorious sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, hot sauce, and fresh parsley. Taste it and add a little more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. So simple, so good!
Tips for Success with Your Easy Dinner Recipes
So, you want your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta to be absolutely perfect every single time? I get it! It’s all about a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way. First off, using good quality ingredients makes such a huge difference. Please, please, *please* grate your own Parmesan cheese; the pre-grated stuff has anti-caking agents that can make your sauce a bit grainy. Also, don’t be afraid to taste and adjust! That little bit of lemon juice at the end can really wake up the flavors, and you can add more hot sauce if you like a bit of a kick. If your sauce seems a tad too thick when you add the pasta, just stir in a bit of that reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches that luscious, coating consistency we’re aiming for. For more tips from our amazing recipe developers, you can always check out our team’s insights!
Variations for Your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
You know, I love this recipe just the way it is, but it’s also super fun to switch things up! If you’re feeling adventurous or just want to use what you have, you can totally customize this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. You could toss in some fresh spinach or steamed broccoli right at the end with the pasta for some added greens. Or, if chicken isn’t your jam that night, shrimp or even pan-seared halloumi would be amazing! Feeling bold? Upping the hot sauce or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes is great if you want a spicy kick. It’s a wonderfully versatile dish! My creamy mushroom chicken uses a similar base for even more veggie goodness!
Serving Suggestions for Busy Night Dinners
To make this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta even more of a complete meal without adding stress, keep your sides simple! A quick big green salad with your favorite dressing is always a winner. Or, if you have a few extra minutes, some crusty bread for soaking up that glorious sauce is divine. You could even toss in some steamed veggies like broccoli or asparagus at the end! For something a little more out-of-this-world that still fits the easy theme consider these stuffed bell peppers.
Storage and Reheating for This Easy Dinner Recipe
Got delicious leftovers? Lucky you! This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta actually tastes even better the next day. Store any extra pasta in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep well for about 3-4 days. To reheat, I like to warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a tiny splash of milk or cream to help loosen up the sauce and bring back that creamy goodness. You can also microwave it, just stir halfway through!
Frequently Asked Questions about Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Got questions about whipping up this amazing pasta? I’ve got answers! This recipe is pretty flexible, and I get asked all sorts of things, so let’s dive in:
Can I use chicken breast instead of tenderloins?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work totally fine here. Just make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces *before* you season and cook them. Keep an eye on them, as they might cook a little faster than tenderloins, but you’ll get the same delicious results. It’s another great option for those Busy Night Dinners!
Can this be made dairy-free?
Making this dish dairy-free is a bit trickier since it’s all about that creamy, cheesy goodness! You could try using a dairy-free butter substitute, a plant-based milk like oat or almond milk (though it might not be as rich), and a good-quality dairy-free Parmesan alternative. I haven’t personally tested it, but some folks have had success. Let me know if you try it!
How can I make it spicier?
Oh, I love a bit of heat too! If you want to spice up this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, start with the hot sauce; you can definitely add more than the tablespoon called for, or use a spicier variety if that’s your jam. You could also add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic and shallots when you’re sautéing them. Easy peasy!
Can I add vegetables to this?
Experimenting is half the fun! Yes, you can totally add veggies. My favorite way is to toss in a few handfuls of fresh spinach during the last minute or two of making the sauce – it wilts down beautifully. Steamed broccoli florets or sautéed mushrooms would also be amazing additions. Just toss them in with the pasta to warm them through!
Still have more questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact page!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk numbers! Keep in mind these are just estimates, and your actual values might be a little different depending on the brands you use and exactly how much of everything you pack in. But here’s a general idea for one serving of this glorious Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta:
- Calories: Around 650-750
- Protein: Approximately 40-50g
- Fat: Roughly 35-45g
- Carbohydrates: About 40-50g
It’s a hearty dish, perfect for refueling after a long day!
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels and add to a large bowl. Add smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. Mix together to ensure all of the chicken is coated in the seasonings.
- Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add chicken and cook on both sides for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and cover with aluminum foil. Set aside.
- To the same pan, add butter. Once melted, add shallots and cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add thyme, and pour in white wine. Cook the wine for 5 minutes, then add all purpose flour and chicken bouillon paste. Whisk together until a thin paste forms, about 2-4 minutes, then pour in heavy cream, and add cream cheese. Stir until cream cheese is melted into the sauce.
- Cook the sauce on low heat for 5-7 minutes, until it thickens. Add parmesan, lemon juice, hot sauce, and parsley. Taste for salt and pepper and season as needed.
- Boil a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and boil until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water and drain.
- If needed, add about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it up. Add more if needed.
- Cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the sauce along with any juices. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together.
Notes
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Paige Graham is a dedicated culinary content creator known for her wholesome, flavor-forward approach to home cooking. With a passion for teaching and a commitment to creating dependable recipes, Paige helps home cooks build confidence, expand their skills, and rediscover the joy of homemade meals. Her work blends practical kitchen wisdom with creative inspiration, making her a trusted voice for readers seeking reliable, approachable, and delicious dishes. Today, she proudly shares her recipes on chomzi.com, where she helps inspire everyday cooking with clarity and heart.
Paige’s culinary journey began in the world of hospitality, where she worked in boutique cafés and event kitchens, gaining firsthand experience in flavor pairing, crowd-pleasing recipe creation, and fast-paced cooking environments. Inspired by how food brought people together, she transitioned into culinary writing and digital recipe development, dedicating her career to teaching others the techniques and flavors she once shared in person. Her ability to simplify recipes without sacrificing depth or satisfaction quickly helped her gain traction in the food media space.
As her career grew, Paige collaborated with local food brands, cooking instructors, and kitchenware companies to develop recipes, video content, and educational cooking guides. Her work has been highlighted in online food communities for its clarity, warmth, and dependable results. With a growing library of well-tested recipes, she continues to refine her craft through ongoing research, culinary experimentation, and an unwavering commitment to helping home cooks succeed.
