Creamy, savory, and full of bold flavor, this Garlic Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food that comes together in just one skillet. Tender, golden-browned chicken pieces are tossed with rich, garlicky cream sauce and hearty pasta, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or cozy weekend indulgence.

The charm of this recipe lies in the balance of simplicity and indulgence. Garlic-infused cream enhances the seared chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, giving every bite a cozy, satisfying richness. Whether you’re cooking for your family or just treating yourself, this dish will have everyone going back for seconds.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before you dive into the magic of this recipe, gather a few kitchen essentials:

Large Skillet or Sauté Pan: A wide, deep skillet ensures even cooking for the chicken and allows room for the pasta and sauce to come together beautifully.
Cutting Board & Sharp Knife: Key for prepping your chicken and fresh herbs with precision and ease.
Garlic Press (Optional): Helps extract maximum flavor if using fresh garlic cloves, and saves time.

Tongs or Wooden Spoon: Ideal for flipping the chicken and stirring everything together gently.
Measuring Cups & Spoons: Helps keep the flavor ratios just right.

These tools not only make cooking smoother but also guarantee the creamy garlic sauce clings to every bite.

Ingredients for the Garlic Chicken Pasta

Each ingredient in this Garlic Chicken Pasta plays a role in creating that perfect creamy, garlicky bite. Here’s why you need each one:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that cooks quickly and soaks up the garlic flavor beautifully.
Pasta (Rigatoni or Penne): Hearty enough to hold up to the creamy sauce while capturing flavor inside its ridges.

Garlic Cloves: The hero of the dish, providing bold, aromatic flavor in every bite.
Heavy Cream: Brings richness and a smooth, velvety texture to the sauce.
Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth and keeps the sauce from being overly thick.

Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce for a salty, umami boost.
Olive Oil & Butter: The dynamic duo for browning the chicken and building a flavorful base.
Italian Seasoning: Adds herby notes that complement the garlic and cream.

Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and bring out all other flavors.
Chopped Parsley (for garnish): Fresh finish that adds color and brightness.

How To Make the Garlic Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Garlic Base

In the same skillet, add a little more butter if needed. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan and lift up the flavorful bits from the bottom. Let it simmer gently until it starts to thicken.

Step 4: Add the Pasta

Add cooked pasta directly into the sauce. Stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce clings to the pasta.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Return the seared chicken to the skillet and toss everything together. Let it heat for a minute or two so the flavors blend beautifully.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top with freshly chopped parsley, more parmesan if desired, and serve hot!

How to Serve and Store Garlic Chicken Pasta

Garlic Chicken Pasta is best served fresh and hot, right out of the skillet. Pair it with warm, crusty bread or a simple side salad to balance the richness. For extra flair, serve it in shallow pasta bowls and finish with a fresh crack of black pepper and a sprinkle of grated parmesan.

To store leftovers, transfer the cooled pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce and keep the pasta from drying out. Avoid freezing, as the cream sauce may separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this dish spicier?

You can add red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic or mix in a dash of cayenne pepper to the cream sauce.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! Penne, fettuccine, rotini, or even spaghetti work well. Choose a pasta shape that holds sauce nicely.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

You can substitute with half-and-half or a mix of whole milk and a bit of butter, though the sauce will be slightly less rich.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Only if you use gluten-free pasta and check that your chicken broth and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Can I add vegetables?

Definitely. Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes make excellent additions without overpowering the garlic flavor.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked?

The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If creamy garlic pasta is your thing, you’re in for a treat with these other delicious pasta meals:

• One Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta for a smoky-sweet kick.
• Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini in Parmesan Sauce if you’re craving garlic-on-garlic bliss.
• One Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese with a nostalgic twist.
• Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini for a rich, beefy variation.
• Sweet Spicy Garlic Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta if you want to add some bold heat.

For even more dinner inspiration, check out my Pinterest where I post daily recipes: Life With Olivia on Pinterest.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

Let me know in the comments how your Garlic Chicken Pasta turned out! Did you stick with the classics or add a twist? I always love hearing how readers make these recipes their own.

Questions, tweaks, tips—drop them below. Let’s make pasta night unforgettable.

Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

Author: Olivia McKenney
Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Garlic Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-skillet dinner that brings together seared chicken, rich garlic cream sauce, and hearty pasta. It’s the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or indulgent weekends, with a luxurious taste that’s simple to make.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

3. Sear chicken in skillet until golden brown and fully cooked (about 4–5 minutes per side). Remove from skillet and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan and release any flavorful bits.

6. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let sauce thicken slightly.

7. Stir in cooked pasta and grated parmesan. Mix until cheese is melted and sauce coats pasta.

8. Slice or chop the cooked chicken and return to the skillet. Toss to combine.

9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic while sautéing.

To keep the sauce smooth when reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream.

Use freshly grated parmesan (not pre-shredded) for the best melt and taste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 610
Sugar: 2g

Sodium: 540mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 17g

Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g

Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: creamy garlic chicken pasta, one-skillet pasta, garlic parmesan chicken pasta