Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (One Pot!)
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Craving a comforting, one-pan, flavorful meal ready in 30 minutes? This garlic parmesan chicken pasta is the answer! It’s a deliciously flavorful recipe with juicy chicken pieces, a creamy cheesy sauce, and noodles.
It’s inspired by the viral TikTok garlic parmesan chicken pasta but with my own twist. Since creating this recipe only takes 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal!
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
30-minute meal – The best part about this parmesan garlic chicken pasta is that it’s ready in about 30 minutes or so, making it great for days when you’re busy or overtired.
Creamy and comforting – A cheesy, creamy parmesan garlic sauce helps make this chicken garlic parmesan pasta comforting and cosy.
Loads of flavor – Tangy lemon juice, rich parmesan cheese, and aromatics add a delicious flavour to this recipe.
One pan – One pan means easier cleanup after the garlic parmesan chicken pasta is cooked and ready to eat.
Great for the whole family – Even picky eaters love this parmesan chicken pasta (even with veggies tucked into the dish!).
If you love creamy chicken recipes, you must try my; Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta, Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta and Rigatoni Fiorentina
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts – This easy garlic chicken parmesan pasta gets protein from boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you prefer, you can swap these out for salmon or shrimp.
Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese helps create a rich, cheesy flavour in the garlic parmesan sauce. You can also use pecorino cheese instead or a combination of the two to create the cream sauce.
Broccoli – I love adding broccoli to this garlic parmesan chicken pasta for added nutrients and some colour. If you prefer other veg, feel free to add them instead. Spinach and cauliflower are also great additions to this pasta dish.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations/Adaptations
Here are a few ways you can put your own spin on this garlic parmesan chicken pasta! Instead of using fusilli, try other options like rigatoni, spaghetti noodles, or penne pasta. Swap out the chicken for salmon, pork, or shrimp. For a richer, cheesier sauce, add a pack of cream cheese to the sauce.
Even though this garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe includes dairy and meat, you can make a vegan version. Use seitan or plant-based chicken, dairy-free parmesan, dairy-free heavy cream, and vegetable stock to turn this recipe into a vegan dish. If you want to make it gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free pasta. Ensure your chicken stock is also gluten-free, as some options contain gluten.
If you have leftover parmesan consider making one of these yummy recipes; Creamy Polenta with Parmesan and Creamy White Beans with Parmesan
How to make garlic parmesan chicken pasta
- To a large frying pan over a high heat, add the chicken pieces. Leave to sear for 3 minutes, then rotate and cook for a further 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and set the chicken aside (Image 1).
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of stock. Reduce the heat to medium/low and add the onion. Gently fry for around 5 minutes (Image 2).
3. Then add the garlic to the pan with the fried onion for the last minute (Image 3).
4. Next, add the fusilli and chicken stock into the pan. Set a timer for 10 minutes, stirring together occasionally (Image 4).
5. After this time, the pasta will almost be cooked and the stock should have cooked mostly off. Reduce the heat to low and stir the cream and chicken into the pan, continue to cook until it starts to thicken, then add the parmesan (Image 5).
6. Once the sauce has thickened nicely, turn off the heat and add the lemon juice. Give a final stir then serve with a sprinkle of fresh chives (Image 6).
Pair this yummy pasta recipe with one of these vegetable side dishes; Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables or The Best Buttered Sauteed Leeks
Tips for the best results
Use a stainless steel pan
When making creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, I recommend using a stainless steel pan. It will create a delicious sear, which keeps the cooked chicken juicy and helps create a more flavourful protein.
Add cream off the heat
I always recommend adding dairy to recipes like this garlic parmesan chicken pasta once the pan is off the heat. Otherwise, it’s very easy for the sauce to curdle.
Use al dente pasta
In recipes like this creamy chicken dish, al dente pasta is the best option. It maintains its shape when in the fridge, making leftovers more enjoyable. If you cook the pasta until it’s fully soft, it will become mush in the fridge.
Satisfy those sweet cravings with these other recipes; Tiramisu Overnight Oats, Homemade Granola and Chocolate Brownies
Serving Suggestions
This delicious garlic parmesan chicken pasta pairs well with anything from salads to crusty bread. You can even pair it with soups for a cozier meal.
Is it freezer-friendly?
If you have leftover sauce from this recipe, you can freeze it. However, I would not recommend freezing cooked pasta as it does not typically store well in the freezer.
Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions
Allow the garlic parmesan chicken pasta to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container. It should stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days. If you have leftover sauce, allow it to cool. Then, put it in an airtight baggie or container. It will stay good in the freezer for 1-2 months. Be sure to cook a fresh batch of pasta to mix with the sauce that you’ve frozen.
If you want to reheat the leftovers from the fridge, simply zap them in the microwave until heated. To reheat from frozen, allow the sauce to defrost overnight in the fridge. Then, heat it on the stove in a pot. You may need to add some chicken broth or water to the sauce, as dairy sauces tend to separate when frozen. Serve with a fresh batch of pasta, and enjoy!
FAQs
You can use milk if you want a lighter version of this garlic parmesan chicken pasta. Simply simmer it until it reaches the desired consistency.
If you want a thinner sauce, simmer it for a shorter amount of time. You can also add some milk or an extra bit of chicken stock to thin the sauce.
If you have the opposite problem (too thin of a consistency), start by simmering the sauce for longer. This will help remove excess moisture. You can also add more cheese to the sauce to help thicken it.
Yes, you can make this pasta parm recipe beforehand since it stays good in the fridge for a while. I would recommend making it 1-2 days maximum in advance. It also tastes good cold, so you don’t need to reheat the leftovers if you don’t want to. Otherwise, you can follow the directions above to reheat the pasta.
If you tried this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken breast, sliced into thin pieces (£6.20/2)=(£3.20)
- 1 white onion, finely diced (£0.15)
- 500 g fusilli (£0.69)
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped (£0.40)
- 80 g parmesan, finely grated (£2.50/2)=(£1.25)
- 300 ml single cream (£1.20)
- 1 head of broccoli, steamed to serve (£0.79)
- Fresh chives, finely sliced to serve (£0.60)
- Juice of half a lemon (£0.30)
Cupboard Essentials
- 1.2 litres chicken stock (2 cubes)
- Salt & Pepper
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
Method
- To a large frying pan over a high heat, add the chicken pieces. Leave to sear for 3 minutes, then rotate and cook for a further 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Set the chicken aside and deglaze the pan with a splash of stock. Reduce the heat to medium/low and add the onion. Gently fry for around 5 minutes, adding the garlic to the pan for the last minute.
- Next, add the fusilli and chicken stock into the pan. Set a timer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After this time, the pasta will almost be cooked and the stock should have cooked mostly off. Reduce the heat to low and stir the cream and chicken into the pan, continue to cook until it starts to thicken, then add the parmesan.
- Once the sauce has thickened nicely, turn off the heat and add the lemon juice. Give a final stir then serve with a sprinkle of fresh chives.
Notes
- Use a stainless steel pan to sear the chicken, keeping it juicy and flavourful.
- Add cream off the heat to prevent the sauce from curdling.
- Use al dente pasta to maintain its shape and texture, especially for leftovers.
Nutrition
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