Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Introduction

Few dinners are as crave-worthy as Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta. The irresistible combination of juicy chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy parmesan sauce makes this recipe a weeknight staple or a quick option for entertaining. It delivers rich flavor with minimal effort—perfect for busy households or anyone seeking a comforting meal that comes together fast.

Deliciously Unique Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This pasta dish stands out thanks to its ultra-creamy parmesan sauce and perfectly seasoned chicken pieces—each bite delivers a savory pop that’s amplified by the nutty sharpness of real parmesan. The brilliance lies in its simplicity: with just a handful of everyday ingredients, you create a restaurant-worthy pasta that’s guaranteed to please kids and adults alike.

Perfecting the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

What sets this dish apart is the silky sauce. Start by sautéing garlic in butter for a fragrant base, then stir in cream and generous handfuls of grated parmesan. Let it gently simmer until thickened, coating every pasta strand in cheesy goodness. A splash of reserved pasta water ensures a glossy, emulsified finish—no clumps or separation. For an added burst of flavor, stir in a pinch of Italian herbs or a splash of lemon juice before serving.

Bringing Together Your Chicken and Pasta

For the chicken, use boneless, skinless breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces and seared until golden-brown. To make it even easier, use leftover or rotisserie chicken. Once pasta is cooked, toss it together with the chicken and sauce, ensuring each piece gets coated. Top with extra parmesan and a sprinkle of black pepper for a satisfying finish.

Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Elevate this dish with a simple green salad and a side of garlic bread. Garnish with chopped fresh basil, parsley, or a few red pepper flakes for a pop of color and extra depth. This pasta is delicious right out of the pan, but if you’re serving a crowd, transfer to a big bowl and let everyone help themselves for a family-style meal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each portion contains around 510 to 580 calories (depending on your cream and parmesan choices); it’s hearty enough for a main course but pairs well with lighter sides if you’re planning a more elaborate dinner.

Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Recap)

This recipe hits all the marks for a quick, comforting, and flavor-packed dinner that feels special but is foolproof to make. With its tender chicken and creamy parmesan sauce, Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta is an instant family favorite and an easy recipe to add to your weekly rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless meal planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the rest and set aside.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
3. Add chicken to skillet and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
4. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually add parmesan, whisking until melted and smooth.
6. If desired, add Italian seasoning. If sauce seems too thick, stir in a bit of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
7. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, along with cooked pasta. Toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated in sauce.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and extra parmesan.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Easy Parmesan Chicken Pasta is an excellent candidate for your weekly meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically generate a cohesive meal schedule and consolidated shopping lists for the week.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates total ingredient amounts across all saved recipes
– Smartly organizes shopping lists by grocery store section, saving time at the store
– Reduces the risk of overbuying or missing key ingredients
– Streamlines prepping, cooking, and clean-up for effortless weeknight meals

Pro tip: Planning several pastas or chicken-based meals? Schedule your recipes in advance to let CookifyAI optimize your shopping for maximum efficiency and minimal waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes