Can I use pre-cooked chicken for garlic parmesan chicken pasta?

Yes, absolutely! Using pre-cooked chicken (like rotisserie or leftovers) is a great time-saver. Just shred or slice the chicken and stir it into the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking just enough to warm it through. This keeps it juicy without overcooking. Tip: If your pre-cooked chicken is heavily seasoned, taste your sauce first before adding extra salt or spices.

What kind of pasta is best for garlic parmesan chicken pasta?

Short-cut pastas like penne , rigatoni , or rotini are best. They hold onto the creamy garlic parmesan sauce beautifully thanks to their ridges and shape. That said, fettuccine or linguine are great if you prefer long noodles with rich sauces. Gluten-free or whole-wheat options work too just cook slightly al dente to prevent breakage when mixing with sauce.

How do I make the garlic flavor stronger without burning it?

To intensify garlic flavor without burning , cook minced garlic slowly in butter or olive oil over low heat until fragrant about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Burning garlic makes it bitter, so gentle heat is key. For even more punch, try: Roasted garlic mashed into the sauce Garlic powder for layering A garlic-infused olive oil drizzle just before serving

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is meal-prep friendly and stores well in the fridge for 3–4 days. Make a batch ahead, store in individual containers, and add a splash of broth or milk before reheating to keep it creamy. It also freezes well for up to 2 months (just slightly undercook the pasta if freezing). Meal Prep Tip: Store pasta and sauce separately if you want a fresher texture when reheated.

Can I make garlic parmesan chicken pasta spicy?

Definitely! Add red pepper flakes , a dash of hot sauce , or use a spicy garlic parmesan sauce like the one from Buffalo Wild Wings for a flavorful kick. You can also add sautéed jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for more heat. Start small this sauce is rich, so a little heat goes a long way!

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta – The Best Creamy Recipe Ever

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta – Easy, Cheesy and Perfect

Print Recipe

A cozy, creamy comfort dish featuring juicy chicken, a rich garlic parmesan sauce, and your favorite pasta — perfect for weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep.

Author: Isla Ray
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

2–3 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning (to taste)
16 oz penne or rotini pasta
2 tbsp butter
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 oz cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
Optional: red pepper flakes, parsley, lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

Cook chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Boil pasta: Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes. Whisk in flour, then slowly pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Cook until slightly thickened.
Add cheese: Stir in parmesan and optional cream cheese until melted and smooth.
Combine: Return chicken to skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
Garnish: Sprinkle with parsley, more parmesan, red pepper flakes or lemon zest. Serve warm.

Notes

Use freshly grated parmesan for best melting and flavor. For slow cooker version, use a bottle of garlic parmesan sauce, 8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup broth, and add cooked pasta at the end.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 580
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 125mg

Keywords: garlic parmesan chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, comfort food, one pot pasta

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