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Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta pairs tender chicken breasts coated in a medley of Italian seasonings, nestled in a creamy cheese-infused sauce with perfectly cooked penne pasta and tender mushrooms. This pasta dish is easy enough for a busy weeknight supper but makes a great dish for entertaining or special occasions.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta provides a symphony of flavors. This classic Italian-inspired dish is a perfect blend of savory flavors, tender chicken, and al dente pasta, all topped with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Each bite of Chicken Parmesan Garlic Pasta is an explosion of savory goodness that will leave you craving more.
If you love garlic and parmesan, try my Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Spaghetti, Crispy Parmesan Potatoes or my Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavors: It’s a tasty mix of garlic, Parmesan cheese, and creamy sauce, creating a satisfying and rich taste.
- Comfort Food Vibes: It’s comforting and hearty, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a satisfying and familiar meal.
- Versatility: You can personalize it by choosing your preferred pasta shape or adjusting the garlic levels, making it appealing to a variety of tastes.
- Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet appeal, it’s easy to prepare, making it accessible for both beginner and experienced cooks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken
- Chicken: Look for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can substitute with chicken thighs or chicken tenders.
- Italian Seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasonings, you can use dried basil and dried oregano as substitutes.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a rich, earthy flavor.
- Paprika: Provides a subtle smoky flavor. If you don’t have paprika, you can use smoked paprika.
- Salt: Kosher salt or sea salt. Adjust according to your preference.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a touch of heat and depth.
- Olive Oil: Use any light, neutral oil for cooking the chicken. Substitute with melted butter if preferred.
For the Pasta
- Pasta: Penne pasta is a tube-shaped pasta that holds the sauce well. Feel free to substitute with other short pasta shapes like fusilli, rigatoni, or macaroni.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce. If preferred, you can substitute with olive oil or margarine.
- Garlic: Provides a rich, earthy flavor.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms adds earthiness and texture to the dish. You can substitute with your favorite mushrooms or omit them if desired.
- All-purpose Flour: Flour helps thicken the sauce. If you have dietary restrictions, you can use a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch as a substitute.
- Chicken Broth: Broth adds flavor, depth and savory notes. Vegetable broth or even water can be used as substitutes.
- Heavy Cream: Cream creates the base for a rich and creamy sauce. For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or whole milk, though the consistency and richness will vary.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly shredded Parmesan provides a salty and nutty flavor. If you don’t have Parmesan, you can use a similar hard cheese like Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.
- Salt and Pepper: Balances the flavors. Adjust according to your taste preferences.
- Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley is used for garnish, adding a fresh touch to the final dish.
How To Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta
- Prepare the chicken. Pat dry the chicken breasts with a kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture. Then season the chicken on both sides with Italian seasonings, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add some olive oil. Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a plate and set them aside.
- Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Saute the mushrooms. After removing the chicken, in the same skillet, add butter and allow it to melt. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about a minute, until fragrant. Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and slightly browned.
- Prepare the sauce. Stir in flour to the skillet and cook for about a minute to remove the raw flour taste. Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the skillet by scraping the bottom to release any browned bits. Add heavy cream to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to the skillet and mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine the ingredients. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it with the creamy sauce until everything is well coated. Slice the chicken breasts and add them to the creamy pasta.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with parsley for added freshness and parmesan shaves and serve.
Tips to Make Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: For an extra burst of flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The quality difference is worth it!
- Perfectly Cooked Chicken: To ensure juicy and tender chicken, don’t overcook it. Remove from heat as soon as it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Garlic Lovers, Rejoice: Adjust the amount of garlic according to your preference. If you love garlic, feel free to add an extra clove or two.
- Al dente pasta: do not over cook the pasta. Keep it al dente.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet until warmed through. If the sauce becomes thick you can thin it with a small amount of water or chicken stock.
What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Pasta always goes well with Bread recipes or Salads. Try out my Low Carb Keto Garlic Bread, Homemade Garlic Knots, Homemade Garlic Bread, or salads such as Mozzarella Caprese Salad Recipe, Spinach and Chickpea Salad, or Mediterranean Pasta Salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare certain components in advance. Cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time, and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, prepare the sauce, reheat the chicken and pasta, and toss them together.
It is not recommended to freeze this dish, as the creamy sauce may not thaw and reheat well. The texture of the pasta and chicken can also change when frozen and reheated.
Cook the pasta al dente (firm to the bite) and immediately drain it to prevent overcooking. It will continue to cook slightly in the sauce when combined.
While freshly grated Parmesan is recommended for optimal flavor, you can use pre-grated if that’s more convenient. Just ensure it’s a high-quality product
Yes, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, or any other preferred type.
More Chicken Pasta Recipes
- Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo
- Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups
- Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
Garlic Chicken Parmesan Pasta is loved for its delicious blend of flavors, textures, and comfort, making it a versatile and delectable dish that never fails to satisfy. Give it a try, and let the flavors speak for themselves!
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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For Chicken
- 1 ½ lb chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
For Pasta
- 10 ounce penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 8 ounce mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat dry the chicken breasts with a kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture. Then season the chicken on both sides with Italian seasonings, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add some olive oil. Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a plate and set them aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- After removing the chicken, in the same skillet, add butter and allow it to melt. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about a minute, until fragrant.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and slightly browned.
- Stir in flour to the skillet and cook for about a minute to remove the raw flour taste. Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the skillet by scraping the bottom to release any browned bits.
- Add heavy cream to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to the skillet and mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it with the creamy sauce until everything is well coated. Slice the chicken breasts and add them to the creamy pasta.
- Garnish with parsley for added freshness and parmesan shaves and serve.
Notes
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: For an extra burst of flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The quality difference is worth it!
- Perfectly Cooked Chicken: To ensure juicy and tender chicken, don’t overcook it. Remove from heat as soon as it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Garlic Lovers, Rejoice: Adjust the amount of garlic according to your preference. If you love garlic, feel free to add an extra clove or two.
- Al dente pasta: do not over cook the pasta. Keep it al dente.
