Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Name: Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta; 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into bite sized pieces; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs; Salt and black pepper to taste; Fresh parsley for garnish

This comforting pasta dish is a quick and creamy dinner that the whole family will love.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Italian· October 20, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

20 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite like a big bowl of creamy pasta to brighten up a busy weeknight. This recipe combines tender seared chicken with a silky Parmesan sauce that clings to every noodle perfectly.

My best tip is to save a little bit of the pasta water before you drain it. Adding that starchy water to the sauce makes it extra glossy and helps it coat the pasta just right.

🧺 Ingredients

12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente.
2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
3
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season them with salt and pepper. Cook until they are golden brown and cooked through, then remove the chicken from the pan.
4
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about thirty seconds until it smells fragrant.
5
Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for two minutes.
6
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
7
Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss in the drained pasta.
8
Mix everything together until the pasta is well coated, adding a splash of pasta water if the sauce feels too thick.
9
Serve warm with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top.

💡 Tips

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. If the sauce thickens too much while reheating, just add a small splash of milk or water to loosen it up again. Serve this with a side of steamed broccoli or a simple green salad to round out the meal.

#pasta #chicken #dinner #quick meals #comfort food

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