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–+ servings
A bowl of creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta with spinach and sliced chicken breast, perfect for easy dinner recipes.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta is a quick and satisfying meal made with pantry staples. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want a flavorful, comforting dish without a lot of fuss.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 (16 ounce) package penne
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
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 5 ounces baby spinach

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • skillet

Method
 

  1. Boil water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  2. Season chicken with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
  3. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
  4. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
  5. Add more butter to the pan if needed. Add garlic and lemon juice and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add flour and mix until slightly browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  7. Whisk in the coconut milk or heavy cream. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and creamy.
  8. Turn off the heat. Add salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and spinach.
  9. Stir until the spinach is wilted. Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce.
  10. Top with the sliced chicken, more Parmesan, and serve.

Notes

This recipe is flexible. You can substitute other pasta shapes or add vegetables like broccoli or mushrooms. If using heavy cream, you can reduce the amount slightly if you prefer a less rich sauce.

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