Easy Chicken Pasta Recipe – Creamy, Flavorful & Ready in 30 Minutes.

Easy Chicken Pasta Recipe

When you’re craving a comforting pasta dinner but don’t want to spend all evening cooking, this easy chicken pasta recipe is exactly what you need.

Tender, golden chicken is tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and a creamy garlic parmesan sauce. It’s rich, satisfying, and made with simple ingredients that come together in about 30 minutes.

It’s an easy dinner for busy weeknights, but it’s also delicious enough to serve when you’re having friends or family over.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Pasta

• 🍝 Ready in about 30 minutes
• 🍗 Packed with tender, flavorful chicken
• 🧄 Rich garlic parmesan sauce
• 🛒 Uses simple ingredients
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly
• 🍱 Great for leftovers and meal prep
• 🔥 Easy to customize with vegetables or spice

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter

For the Pasta

• 12 ounces penne, fettuccine, linguine, or your favorite pasta
• Salt, for the pasta water

For the Creamy Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• ½ cup reserved pasta water, as needed

For Garnishing

• Fresh parsley
• Extra parmesan
• Cracked black pepper

👩‍🍳 How to Make Easy Chicken Pasta

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.

Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of pasta water.

Drain the pasta and set aside.

2. Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry.

Season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

For thick chicken breasts, carefully slice them horizontally so they cook more evenly.

3. Cook the Chicken

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

Add the chicken and cook for approximately 4–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness.

The chicken should be golden on the outside and cooked through.

Transfer it to a plate and let it rest for a few minutes.

Then slice it into strips or bite-sized pieces.

4. Make the Garlic Sauce

Using the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium.

Add 2 tablespoons of butter.

Once melted, add the minced garlic.

Cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring frequently.

Don’t let the garlic burn.

5. Add the Cream

Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

6. Add the Parmesan

Gradually stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little reserved pasta water.

7. Combine Everything

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet.

Toss until the pasta is completely coated in the creamy sauce.

Add the sliced chicken and gently mix everything together.

Let it cook for another 1–2 minutes so the flavors can come together.

8. Garnish and Serve

Remove from the heat.

Top with freshly chopped parsley, parmesan, and cracked black pepper.

Serve immediately.

🥦 Easy Add-Ins

Want to make your chicken pasta even better?

Try adding:

Broccoli

Steam or roast broccoli and toss it into the finished pasta.

Spinach

Add fresh spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted.

Mushrooms

Sauté sliced mushrooms before making the sauce.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a richer, slightly tangy flavor.

Bell Peppers

Sauté colorful bell peppers with the chicken for extra texture and flavor.

🌶️ Make It Spicy

If you enjoy a little heat, add:

• Red pepper flakes
• Cayenne pepper
• Chili flakes
• Your favorite hot sauce

Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

💡 Tips for the Best Chicken Pasta

Don’t overcook the pasta

Cook it until al dente so it maintains some texture when tossed with the sauce.

Save some pasta water

The starchy water can help loosen the sauce while also helping it cling to the pasta.

Use freshly grated parmesan

Freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly and gives the sauce a better texture.

Let the chicken rest

Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing helps keep it juicy.

Don’t boil the cream too aggressively

A gentle simmer creates a smoother sauce.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store leftover chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

When reheating, add a small splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth to loosen the sauce.

Warm gently until heated through.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What pasta is best for chicken pasta?

Penne, fettuccine, linguine, spaghetti, and rigatoni all work well.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are delicious and tend to be very juicy.

Can I make chicken pasta without cream?

Yes. You can make a lighter sauce using chicken broth, milk, parmesan, and a little pasta water, although the texture will be less rich.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes. Broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, peas, asparagus, and bell peppers are excellent additions.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

Let it simmer gently for a few extra minutes or add more parmesan. Avoid adding too much cheese at once.

🍽️ RECIPE CARD

Creamy Chicken Pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1½ lb chicken breasts
• 12 oz pasta
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4–5 garlic cloves
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¾ cup parmesan
• ½ cup reserved pasta water
• Fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Cook pasta until al dente and reserve pasta water.
2. Season chicken.
3. Sear chicken in oil and butter until golden and cooked through.
4. Remove and slice.
5. Sauté garlic in butter.
6. Add chicken broth and cream.
7. Stir in parmesan and seasonings.
8. Add pasta and toss.
9. Return chicken to the skillet.
10. Garnish with parsley and parmesan.

SAVE PIN FOR LATER📌