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Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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This creamy one-pot garlic parmesan chicken pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that comes together in about 35 minutes. With simple ingredients and a velvety, luscious sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort food that even picky eaters will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter
  • 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups (960ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 12 oz (340g) dried short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
  • 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season and Sear the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. Season generously with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same pot. As it melts, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add minced garlic, remaining Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Build the Sauce Base: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine, scraping up any last bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  4. Cook the Pasta: Add dried pasta to the pot. Stir well to ensure every piece is submerged. Bring back to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar. Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened.
  5. Add the Cheese and Chicken: Remove pot from heat. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and sauce is smooth. Return cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
  6. Rest and Serve: Let the pasta sit uncovered for about 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Grate your own Parmesan cheese from a block for the smoothest sauce; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Stir the pasta every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking. If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer uncovered for an extra 2-3 minutes. For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/creamy-one-pot-garlic-parmesan-chicken-pasta-easy-dinner-recipe/