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Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

creamy one-pot garlic parmesan chicken pasta - featured image

A quick, comforting, and fuss-free one-pot garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Creamy, garlicky, and delicious with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces penne or rotini pasta
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mince garlic. Grate parmesan cheese if not pre-grated. Have pasta ready.
  2. Heat olive oil or butter in a large deep skillet or wide pot over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Add pasta and spread evenly. Bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add water if liquid gets too low.
  6. Once pasta is tender and broth mostly absorbed, stir cooked chicken back into the pot. Pour in heavy cream and combine.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when sautéing chicken to ensure proper browning. Use fresh minced garlic for best flavor. Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking but avoid over-stirring. Freshly grated parmesan melts better than pre-grated. Adjust liquid levels during simmering if needed. For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and parmesan with nutritional yeast. Adding a tablespoon of cream cheese or mascarpone can enhance creaminess if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, garlic parmesan, chicken pasta, easy dinner, creamy pasta, weeknight meal, comfort food