Description
Looking for the ultimate *easy dinner* that’s rich, comforting, and loaded with flavor? This **Garlic Chicken Pasta** is a quick weeknight winner that brings restaurant-quality comfort food to your kitchen in under 30 minutes. Tender seared chicken, al dente pasta, and a velvety garlic cream sauce come together in perfect harmony. It's the ideal *easy recipe* for those craving *dinner ideas* that are creamy, garlicky, and sure to satisfy the whole family. Whether you need *quick dinner ideas*, *meal prep food*, or just a cozy bowl of comfort — this dish checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
8 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
4 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
0.25 cup reserved pasta water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, drain, and set aside.
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Melt butter, then add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and let it gently simmer. Stir in Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
7. Return cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the garlic cream sauce.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
Let the chicken rest at room temperature before cooking to ensure even searing and juiciness.
Reserve pasta water — it’s perfect for adjusting the sauce without watering it down.
Always add cream and cheese over low heat to prevent curdling or a grainy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: garlic chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, chicken dinner