Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Easy 20-Min Recipe!)

This one-pot garlic parmesan chicken pasta is about to be your new favorite weeknight dinner if you're looking for something creamy, comforting, and full of flavor.

It’s a cozy bowl of spaghetti (or pasta of choice) tossed in a buttery, garlicky, cheesy cream sauce with slices of juicy blackened chicken on top.

This garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe is quick, easy, and comes together in under 30 minutes—perfect for when you want something mouth-watering that your whole family will love.

What is Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?

Garlic parmesan chicken pasta is a creamy pasta dish made with a rich sauce of butter, garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, paired with tender seasoned blackened chicken. It truly is the perfect blend between classic comfort food and restaurant-style indulgence.

This parmesan garlic chicken pasta recipe balances savory garlic, cheesy parmesan, and juicy chicken breast, all swirled around perfectly cooked spaghetti.

If you’ve never tried a garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe before, imagine a creamy Alfredo with a flavorful upgrade from soy sauce, chili oil, and fresh herbs. It’s simple but absolutely irresistible.

Why You’ll Love Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Quick and easy dinner: This one-pot dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Creamy and buttery texture: The combination of butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese makes the sauce luxuriously smooth.
• Irresistible flavor: The garlic, soy sauce, and smoked paprika-seasoned chicken create a savory depth that keeps you coming back for more.
• Versatile and customizable: You can swap proteins, add veggies, or adjust spice to make this recipe fit your cravings.
• Family favorite: With its creamy sauce and juicy chicken, this pasta is a recipe that the whole family will love!

Ingredients

• Chicken breast: The base protein, sliced and seasoned to stay tender and juicy.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors in both the chicken and pasta.
• Ground black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the chicken seasoning.
• Garlic powder: Brings concentrated garlicky flavor to the chicken.
• Onion powder: Balances the seasoning with mild sweetness.
• Smoked paprika: Adds warmth and a subtle smoky depth.
• Olive oil: Helps sear the chicken to golden perfection.
• Spaghetti: A classic pasta choice that holds the creamy garlic parmesan sauce beautifully. However, you can use your favorite pasta of choice!
• Unsalted butter: Forms the buttery base of the pasta sauce.
• Yellow onion: Adds savory sweetness to the sauce.
• Garlic: The star ingredient, infusing the sauce with bold flavor. Lots of this is preferred!
• Heavy cream: Creates a silky, creamy texture in the sauce.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for nutty, cheesy richness. Make sure to use freshly grated parmesan cheese for best flavor.
• Soy sauce: Not a traditional ingredient but I think it adds umami to the sauce.
• Pasta water: Helps emulsify the sauce and achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
• Chili oil: Optional but adds a touch of heat and flavor.
• Cilantro: Brightens the dish with fresh, herbaceous flavor.

Customizations

• Protein swap: Use shrimp, salmon, or even tofu instead of chicken for a twist.
• Add vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli would blend seamlessly into the creamy pasta.
• Cheese variation: Swap parmesan with pecorino romano for a sharper, saltier flavor.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Season and prepare the chicken

Mix the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Rub the chicken with olive oil and seasoning.

Set aside while you prepare the pasta.

Cook the pasta

Boil the spaghetti according to package directions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water (a little more than you’ll need).

Drain and rinse the noodles for a few seconds under cold water to remove excess starch.

Sear the chicken

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the seasoned chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

Transfer to a plate and let it rest before slicing.

Make the garlic parmesan sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter. Add diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.

Stir in heavy cream, freshly grated parmesan cheese, soy sauce, reserved pasta water, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Toss the pasta

Add the cooked spaghetti into the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Adjust with more pasta water if needed.

Assemble and garnish

Slice the chicken and place on top of the pasta. Finish with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of chili oil.

Storage

Store leftovers of this garlic parmesan chicken pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Tips

• Don’t skip the pasta water: It helps the sauce cling to the spaghetti and makes it extra creamy.
• Use freshly grated parmesan cheese: Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly and can make the sauce grainy.
• Rest the chicken: Letting it rest before slicing keeps it juicy and flavorful.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

• Gochujang Pasta
• Avocado Pesto Pasta

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Creamy, cheesy one-pot pasta topped with juicy, blackened chicken breast for the perfect, easy weeknight meal

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 649kcal

Video

Equipment

• ▢
  Large Skillet

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

US Customary - Metric

Blackened Chicken

• ▢ 1 chicken breast sliced in half horizontally
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil

Garlic Parmesan Pasta

• ▢ 8 oz. dry spaghetti
• ▢ 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ▢ ½ yellow onion diced
• ▢ 6 cloves garlic
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ ½ cup freshly grated parmesan
• ▢ 1.5 tablespoon soy sauce
• ▢ ¼ cup pasta water plus extra if needed for desired consistency
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ Freshly ground black pepper

Garnish

• ▢ Chopped cilantro
• ▢ Chili oil

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika and mix well. Rub the chicken breast with olive oil and seasoning then set aside.
• Boil spaghetti according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water (a bit more than needed to adjust consistency if needed), then drain and set aside. Quickly rinse the spaghetti in cold water for 5-10 seconds to remove excess starch.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and let rest.
• In the same skillet, melt butter, then add diced onion and garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until softened and fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, parmesan, soy sauce, reserved pasta water, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
• Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss until evenly coated and creamy. Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or noodle water as needed for consistency. Turn off the heat.
• Slice the chicken and place on top of the pasta. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of chili oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 649kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 1046mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1297IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 2mg