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Healthy garlic parmesan chicken pasta with penne, grilled chicken breast, fresh spinach, and creamy sauce, topped with parmesan and parsley a high protein, meal prep friendly comfort food in a white bowl.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta with tender seasoned chicken and rich parmesan cream sauce. Restaurant-quality one-pot comfort food ready in 30 minutes that rivals Buffalo Wild Wings flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 685
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz Penne pasta Perfect for catching sauce
  • 1 lb Boneless chicken breast Cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 cloves Fresh garlic Minced for bold flavor
  • 1 cup Heavy cream Creates luxurious sauce
  • 1 cup Fresh parmesan cheese Grated, not pre-shredded
  • 3 tablespoon Unsalted butter Divided for cooking
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil Prevents butter burning
  • 2 tablespoon All-purpose flour For thickening sauce
  • ½ cup Chicken broth Adds depth to sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Classic herb blend
  • 1 teaspoon Salt To taste
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper Freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika For chicken color
  • ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes Optional heat
  • 2 tablespoon Fresh parsley Chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or sauté pan 12-inch preferred for even cooking
  • Large pot For boiling pasta water
  • Whisk For smooth sauce making
  • Wooden spoon For gentle stirring
  • Sharp knife For cutting chicken
  • Fine grater For fresh parmesan
  • Colander For draining pasta

Method
 

  1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, let sit 5 minutes
  2. Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium-high heat
  3. Cook chicken in single layer 5-6 minutes per side until golden
  4. Transfer chicken to plate, keep those golden bits in pan
  5. Reduce heat, add remaining butter and minced garlic, cook 1-2 minutes
  6. Sprinkle flour over garlic, whisk continuously for 1 minute
  7. Slowly add broth while whisking, then heavy cream, bring to simmer
  8. Cook penne al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain
  9. Add pasta to skillet, toss with sauce, add pasta water if needed
  10. Remove from heat, gradually stir in parmesan until smooth
  11. Return chicken to skillet, toss to coat, garnish with parsley

Notes

For maximum flavor, use freshly grated parmesan and don't skip the browning step for the chicken. Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference.