Name: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 300 g (10.5 oz) linguine; 3 chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces (about 525g or 18.5oz); 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 3 tbsp oil; 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 180 ml (3/4 cup) strong chicken stock (or water plus 2 stock cubes); 180 ml (3/4 cup) double (heavy) cream; 1 tbsp lemon juice (juice from approx. half a lemon); 50 g (1/2 cup) finely grated parmesan cheese; Small bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped; Black pepper, to taste; Grated parmesan, to serve

If you’re craving a dish that feels like a warm hug from the inside, this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is exactly what you need. Creamy, garlicky, and loaded with tender chicken, it’s a weeknight winner every single time. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a fast favorite in your rotation—and I can’t wait to walk you through it!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples on hand, making this pasta a breeze to whip up anytime.
Rich, Creamy Flavor: The combination of garlic, parmesan, and cream creates a sauce that’s absolutely irresistible.
Quick and Easy: Ready from start to finish in about 25 minutes—perfect for busy nights but fancy enough to impress.
Versatile and Customizable: You can tweak veggies, protein, or spices to suit your mood or what’s in your fridge.

The image shows two bowls of creamy chicken pasta placed on a white marbled surface. Each bowl is filled with creamy white sauce-coated pasta strands intertwined with small pieces of light golden cooked chicken. The pasta is topped with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese and fresh green parsley leaves scattered over the dish. One bowl in the foreground features two golden brown toasted bread pieces resting against the edge. The bowls are beige with a speckled pattern and a spoon is visible inside the bowl closer to the camera. The overall look is warm and inviting, with soft textures and subtle color contrasts. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, chicken pasta recipes, creamy garlic pasta, easy weeknight dinner, homemade pasta with chicken

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe really lies in the harmony of fresh garlic, sharp parmesan, and tender chicken wrapped around linguine. Don’t skimp on the parmesan—it makes all the difference!

Flat lay of a small pile of uncooked linguine pasta strands, three plump raw chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces, a small bowl of fine cornflour, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, a small peeled yellow onion finely chopped, three whole garlic cloves peeled, a small white bowl with golden cooking oil, a small white bowl filled with rich heavy cream, a small white bowl of bright yellow lemon juice, a small white bowl with strong chicken stock, a small mound of finely grated parmesan cheese, a small bunch of fresh green parsley sprigs, a small white bowl of coarse black pepper, and a small pile of salt crystals, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, chicken pasta recipes, creamy garlic pasta, easy weeknight dinner, homemade pasta with chicken

Linguine: It holds onto the creamy sauce perfectly, but feel free to swap for fettuccine or spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand.
Chicken breasts: Chopped into bite-size pieces—they cook quickly and soak up all those flavors.
Cornflour (cornstarch): This helps give the chicken a light coating and thickens the sauce slightly—don’t skip it!
Salt and black pepper: The basics, but essential for seasoning both chicken and sauce just right.
Garlic powder: Adds an extra layer of garlic flavor alongside the fresh garlic.
Oil: For frying the chicken—something neutral like vegetable or canola works best.
Onion: Finely chopped for sweetness and texture.
Fresh garlic cloves: Minced for that punch of garlicky goodness everyone loves.
Chicken stock: Adds depth—if you don’t have stock, dissolving cubes in water works fine too.
Double (heavy) cream: This is what makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and smooth.
Lemon juice: A splash brightens and balances all those rich flavors wonderfully.
Parmesan cheese: Finely grated, this melts into the sauce creating that irresistible savory finish.
Fresh parsley: Chopped and sprinkled on top for freshness and color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is a great base for your own twists—there’s so much room to experiment and make it truly yours.

Add Veggies: Toss in some spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra color and nutrition—I especially enjoy sautéed mushrooms for added earthiness.
Switch up the Protein: Try shrimp or turkey instead of chicken; I’ve swapped in shrimp when I want something a bit lighter, and it works beautifully.
Make it Spicy: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce amps up the heat if you like a little kick.
Use Different Pasta: Penne or rigatoni also do a great job holding the sauce if linguine isn’t on hand.
Dairy-Free Twist: Substitute cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan, though it will change the flavor profile a bit.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Perfect Pasta

Start by boiling your linguine according to package instructions—al dente is the way to go here. I always save a cup of pasta water before draining; this starchy water is gold for loosening the sauce later without watering it down.

Step 2: Coat and Cook the Chicken

While the pasta cooks, toss your chicken pieces with cornflour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, then fry the chicken for about 6-7 minutes, flipping occasionally. You want them golden and cooked through, juicy but not dry—this is where that cornflour works its magic in locking in moisture.

Step 3: Build that Flavorful Sauce

Remove the chicken and set it aside, keeping it warm. If needed, add a little more oil and toss in your chopped onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften but don’t brown. Then add the minced garlic, along with salt and pepper, cooking for just another minute until fragrant—don’t let the garlic burn, or it’ll turn bitter.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Base

Pour in the chicken stock and cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes until it thickens slightly—this is when you know those flavors are starting to meld beautifully.

Step 5: Finish and Combine

Add the lemon juice to brighten the sauce, then stir in the drained pasta and sprinkle over the parmesan. I like to use tongs here to lift and fold the pasta into the sauce so every strand gets coated perfectly. If it feels too thick, add splashes of your reserved pasta water a little at a time until the consistency feels just right. Finally, return the chicken to the pan, warm everything through for another minute, then turn off the heat.

Pro Tips for Making Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

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Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Tossing it in cornflour keeps each bite juicy, but watch your timing carefully so it doesn’t dry out.
Reserve Pasta Water: Adding this helps achieve a silky sauce without watering down the flavor—a little goes a long way.
Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese won’t melt as smoothly, so take the extra minute to grate it fresh for that perfect sauce texture.
Avoid Garlic Burn: Add minced garlic last when sautéing and stir constantly, cooking only until fragrant to keep it from turning bitter.

How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

A close-up view of creamy pasta shows thick spaghetti strands coated in a smooth, light beige sauce. Mixed in are small chunks of grilled light brown chicken, with specks of black pepper and green parsley leaves scattered on top. A white piece of bread with a golden-brown crust rests on the side of the plate. A black fork is twirling some noodles and chicken. The plate has a rustic look with a speckled edge and sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, chicken pasta recipes, creamy garlic pasta, easy weeknight dinner, homemade pasta with chicken

Garnishes

I love finishing this pasta with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness, plus a few twists of cracked black pepper and extra parmesan on top. It makes every bite feel even more special.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides here are a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or steamed broccoli for a little crunch and balance. Garlic bread is also a favorite when I really want to indulge.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like to plate this pasta in shallow bowls with a fresh lemon wedge on the side and a sprig of parsley on top. Serving it family-style in a large vibrant dish also adds warmth and encourages everyone to dig in together.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, but the pasta can soak up the sauce and dry out a bit—so treat it gently when reheating.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a few times with decent results. Just flash cool the pasta and sauce before freezing, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The texture of the pasta softens a bit, so it’s best for meals when texture isn’t crucial.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce. Stir often to reintroduce creaminess and prevent sticking—avoid high heat, which can dry it out.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta in this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! Linguine works great because it holds onto the sauce well, but feel free to substitute fettuccine, penne, or even spaghetti. Just watch the cooking time according to the package instructions to keep the pasta al dente.
What can I substitute for double (heavy) cream?

If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half or a mixture of milk and melted butter, though the sauce will be less rich and creamy. For a dairy-free option, coconut cream works but changes the flavor profile.
How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or too thin?

The key is using reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency. Add it little by little, stirring and checking until the sauce coats the pasta just right—not too clingy, not too runny.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

You can cook the chicken and sauce ahead and keep them separately in the fridge. Reheat gently, then toss with freshly cooked pasta just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of those meals I come back to time and again because it never disappoints—quick to make, comforting, and downright delicious. I hope you give it a try soon and see how easy it is to bring a little Italian-inspired magic into your kitchen. Plus, it’s the kind of dish that friends and family actually ask for, which might just make you the hero of your next dinner!