Creamy Garlic and Chicken Pasta is one of those dinners that just works. Simple ingredients, quick prep, and a sauce that naturally thickens into something you want to scoop straight from the pan. If you’re in the mood for a straightforward, comforting meal that delivers every time, this is one you want to make.
Pasta is a staple in our house. If your family loves it like mine, than try my Buffalo Ranch Chicken pasta and my Lentil Pasta. They will become family favorites.
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Why this Creamy Garlic And Chicken Pasta Recipe is a Keeper
This garlic chicken pasta recipe is pure comfort, takes almost no effort, and is perfect for busy nights.
- Comfort Food With a Little Flair: It hits that perfect creamy, cozy, weeknight‑friendly vibe but still feels special thanks to the Tuscan flavors.
- Built on Pantry Staples: Sun‑dried tomatoes, pasta, broth, and cream are ingredients many home cooks already keep on hand, so it’s easy to pull together without a grocery run.
- High Flavor, Low Effort: You get layers of richness, tang, and garlic‑forward depth without complicated steps or long simmer times.
- Protein and Pasta in One Pot: You’re not juggling multiple pans; the chicken cooks right in the sauce, which keeps everything juicy and flavorful.
- Serve With: Serve this easy chicken pasta recipe with Chickpea Feta Salad, Cheesy Garlic Stuffed Bread or Tuscan Roasted Parmesan Asparagus.
How Do I Keep Cream Sauce From Separating?
The best way to keep the sauce from separating is to heat low and slow. As long as your gentle with the creamy garlic parmesan sauce, it’ll be just fine.
Pro Tip For Chicken Pasta
After searing the chicken, don’t wipe out the pan. The golden, stuck‑on bits (fond) are pure flavor.
Ingredient Notes for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
You only need a few easy-to-find ingredients, many of which you probably have in your pantry already.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Fresh Garlic: You will need fresh minced garlic cloves to make the garlic sauce. Garlic powder works too, but the flavor won’t be as good.
- Heavy Cream: Whipping cream will make sure the creamy sauce is creamy.
- Chicken Broth: Use low sodium chicken broth to help control the amount of sodium.
- ➡️ Make it From Scratch: Try my Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth.
- ➡️ Make it From Scratch: Try my Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth.
Variations to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta
This extra creamy garlic chicken pasta recipe is super flexible. Switch it up to make it work for your tastes.
➡️ Swap Protein: Use shrimp or rotisserie chicken instead. You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
➡️ Add Different Vegetables: Stir in asparagus, broccoli, or mushrooms.
➡️ Change Pasta: Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.
➡️ Add Heat: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
➡️ Wine: Try adding a splash of your favorite white wine.
Kitchen Tools for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
To make chicken and pasta , you will need a couple different kitchen items to make it just right.
- Large Pot: You will need a big enough pot to cook the pasta in.
- Skillet: I like to use one of my larger skillets, just so I can be sure I have enough room for all the ingredients, plus room to stir.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta
This creamy parmesan chicken pasta recipe comes together in 3 quick and easy steps. This juicy chicken dish is so good, it quickly became one of my favorite recipes.
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. When done, drain the pasta but reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper. Add the chicken breast and cook for a couple minutes on both sides, and cook the chicken until done.
- Make the Sauce: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, and increase the temperature to medium-high. When the broth is simmering, add in the heavy cream and lower heat back to medium. Let simmer until reduced by half.
- Add the Drained Pasta: When the sauce has thickened to a texture you’re happy with, add the cooked pasta, sundried tomatoes and spinach. Stir, then add grated parmesan cheese and lemon juice to taste.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips for Easy Garlic Chicken Pasta
Start preparing ingredients to this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe ahead of time so that the cooking process is as quick as it can be.
➡️ Prep Chicken Early: Butterfly the chicken breasts and season in advance and refrigerate covered.
➡️ Use Pre-Minced Garlic: Reduces prep time for this great recipe on particularly busy nights.
➡️ Cook Pasta Ahead: Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain pasta and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking. Add it in later so it’s truly a one-pan meal. You can save a cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Chicken with Creamy Garlic Pasta
Make this creamy Tuscan chicken recipe another way by using your air fryer/crock pot/oven.
- One-Pot Method: Cook pasta in a creamy garlic sauce together to reduce cleanup, adjusting liquid as needed.
- Slow Cooker: Cook chicken separately, then combine with sauce and pasta before serving.
What Type of Pasta Works Best?
You can experiment with any pasta shape, but I like to use penne pasta, angel hair pasta or linguini with the sliced chicken and creamy garlic sauce.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Pasta Dish
- Storing: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Using Leftovers: Turn into a baked pasta dish by adding cheese and reheating in the oven.
Expert Tips to Make this Recipe for Chicken with Delicious Pasta
I love this creamy garlic chicken.
➡️ Watch Garlic: Cook just until fragrant to prevent bitterness.
➡️ Save Pasta Water: Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
➡️ Even Chicken Pieces: Use chicken pieces that are similar in size so they cook at the same rate.
➡️ Add Cheese Slowly: Prevents clumping and keeps the sauce smooth.
➡️ Toss Immediately: Coat pasta while the sauce is hot for best results.
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Creamy Garlic and Chicken Pasta
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Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Oil
- 4 Chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon Salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Heavy whipping cream, 35%
- 1 cup Spinach
- ½ cup Sundried tomatoes, oil drained
- Parmesan cheese, to taste
- 2 Tablespoon Lemon juice
- 10 ounces Pasta, Cooked
Instructions
- Cook Pasta according to package directions. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper then place in the hot skillet.
- Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on one side, then flip and continue to cook for 4-5 more minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken broth to the skillet and increase heat to medium-high.
- Once the chicken broth is simmering, add the heavy whipping cream and then reduce heat to medium.
- Allow the liquid to simmer until reduced by half, about 8 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta, spinach and sundried tomatoes to the skillet until spinach is completely wilted.
- Add the Parmesan cheese to taste, then finish off with the lemon juice.
Christina’s Notes
- Extra Creamy Sauce: For an extra creamy sauce, you can also add cream cheese along with the chicken broth and heavy cream.
- Instant Pot: Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta an instant pot recipe but cooking on the sauté setting.
- Add Heat: To make this recipe spicier add crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.