Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta uses just a handful of ingredients, but it’s full of creamy, garlicky deliciousness! Using rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken or easy chicken in the air fryer, this dish comes together in less than 30 minutes!

Looking for more easy pasta dishes? Try my Instant Pot Chicken Penne Pasta, Easy Chicken Ground Turkey Pasta, or Cheesy Baked Bechamel Pasta.

Pasta and chicken have got to be two of my family’s most-devoured foods! So when I can put them together, it’s always a hit! And it’s even better when I can use leftover roast chicken to bulk it up with protein and save time in the kitchen. Sounds like a win-win to me!

One thing I do to make weeknight meals a breeze is to get a rotisserie chicken, shred it over the weekend, and use it for recipes throughout the week. Or, I’ll cook up a few frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer or this perfect baked chicken, which are both super easy!

Want to totally amp up the flavor in this pasta dish?! Use this blackened chicken recipe – it’s so mouthwatering, so divine, and so perfect in this Parmesan garlic chicken pasta dish.

A few of my go-to dishes using cooked chicken are of course, this easy chicken pasta recipe, but also these Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls , Creamy Enchilada Skillet, and my super easy Chicken Broccoli Lasagna!

This creamy garlic parmesan pasta will become a quick family favorite! The cream sauce is rich and flavorful but NOT heavy or thick (the chicken stock helps to cut through some of the richness!). You can leave out the chicken, too, and it makes a great side dish or small pasta course!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this delicious Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta:

INGREDIENT NOTES

Chicken: I like having pre-cooked chicken on hand like rotisserie chicken or these easy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts to help this meal come together super quickly! You can also cook perfect chicken breasts in a pan and use those as well!

Parmesan: While pre-grated parm saves a little time, for this recipe, take the extra few minutes and grate it fresh. It melts much more smoothly, giving you a super silky, un-clumpy sauce 🙂

Pasta: Any shape pasta will work here – use your fave! For a fancy dinner, go with linguine or fettuccini. Use short pasta like penne or fusilli for a casual weeknight meal.

Heavy cream: Cream adds richness and buttery flavor to the sauce and helps to thicken it, creating a luscious consistency.

Chicken broth: This is added to help create a cohesive sauce, thinning it ever so slightly and adds a savory and robust flavor

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the recipe card below!

Step 1: In a large pot full of salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. Over low heat, melt butter in a large skillet. Then add minced garlic and flour and cook for one minute.

Step 2: Turn the heat up to medium and add chicken stock and cream. Season with salt and whisk to combine. When it comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 3: Stir in parmesan cheese and chicken.

Step 4: Cook until heated through, then add cooked pasta. Toss until pasta is well coated with the sauce and serve! Garnish with fresh parsley for an easy pasta dinner.

RECIPE TIPS & TRICKS

• Use al dente pasta. Follow the package directions, but drain the pasta while it’s still firm to the tooth as it will continue to cook when tossed with the sauce.
• Watch the heat. Be mindful of the heat when cooking the pasta and the sauce. You want medium high heat for the pasta and low heat for making the creamy sauce to avoid separating the sauce.
• Give a refreshing citrus flavor. A squeeze of lemon and some fresh ground pepper at the end takes this Parmesan garlic pasta over the top!

STORAGE & REHEATING

Leftovers: You can store leftovers right in the pan with a tight-fitting lid, in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just add a splash of cream or chicken stock to the pan and heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.

You can also store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the microwave on full power for a minute or so. Adding a splash of chicken stock helps loosen the sauce and makes it creamy again.

Freezing: Dishes with heavy cream don’t freeze up great and the sauce may separate a bit…but will still be delish.

You can freeze leftovers in a freezer bag or freezer safe, air tight container. To reheat, thaw pasta overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pan with a splash of cream and chicken stock to liven up the sauce. Cook 3-4 minutes over medium until heated through, stirring occasionally.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS