Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
A cozy, flavor-packed one-pot garlic parmesan chicken pasta made with tender chicken, golden garlic, and creamy Parmesan sauce—all tossed with pasta for a warm, satisfying meal. It’s a family-favorite dinner that’s just as easy to whip up on a busy night as it is to serve for a casual get-together.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 12 oz dry pasta penne or rotini
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Sear Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sauté in olive oil until golden, about 5–6 minutes. Set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pan, melt butter and cook garlic for 30 seconds, stirring often.
- Add Broth & Pasta: Pour in broth. Stir in pasta, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine Chicken: Add chicken back to the pan. Simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Cream & Cheese: Stir in cream and Parmesan until the sauce is smooth and glossy.
- Finish with Spinach: Fold in spinach until just wilted. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Spoon into bowls and top with more Parmesan if desired.