Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta (Print)
Silky garlic-parmesan cream coats fettuccine and sliced seared chicken for a cozy, quick weeknight dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Pasta
02 - 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus additional for garnish
→ Dairy
06 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Fill a large pot with water, salt generously, and bring to a boil. Add fettuccine or linguine and cook until al dente following package instructions. Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water.
02 - Butterfly the chicken breasts and season both sides with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs if using.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Transfer chicken to a plate, cover loosely, and allow to rest.
04 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Slice rested chicken thinly. Return sliced chicken to the skillet along with cooked pasta. Toss to combine thoroughly, using reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency.
07 - Fold in chopped parsley, then serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Your secret to a restaurant-style pasta dinner without leaving your kitchen.
- It transforms basic pantry staples into something you’ll crave on even your busiest nights.
02 -
- If you try to rush the sauce over high heat, it can split and lose its luxurious texture.
- Using just a splash of the reserved pasta water makes the sauce cling better and keeps everything glossy.
03 -
- Sautéing garlic until just fragrant keeps it sweet and mellow instead of sharp and bitter.
- Don’t skip letting the chicken rest before slicing—it keeps every bite tender and juicy.