Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate creamy, comforting dish, featuring tender chicken and rich Parmesan sauce perfectly coating your favorite pasta, making it an irresistible weeknight meal.
There’s something truly magical about a classic pasta dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to the dinner table. Our Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe is a testament to this, combining succulent chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a velvety Parmesan sauce into one unforgettable meal. It’s a culinary hug in a bowl, versatile enough for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for guests.
Forget complicated cooking techniques, this recipe focuses on simple steps and fresh ingredients to achieve maximum flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, you’ll find this guide easy to follow, leading you to a dish that will become a regular in your rotation. Prepare to elevate your comfort food game with this incredible Parmesan Chicken Pasta!
Meal preparation can be a breeze with the right tools, ensuring your kitchen runs smoothly from start to finish. For instance, when it comes to quickly chopping onions and garlic for our creamy Parmesan sauce, a good food processor is invaluable. The Cuisinart 8 Cup Food Processor is a fantastic choice, known for its fast chopping and slicing capabilities, making it an essential for meal prep. After enjoying this delicious Parmesan Chicken Pasta, you might even think about other comforting recipes, like a hearty Sweet Potato Soup With Sausage, which also benefits from efficient prep.
To keep any leftover ingredients fresh or to prep components for future meals, proper storage is key. The Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Set of 9 is perfect for meal prep storage, offering leak-proof and stackable containers. And for ensuring your chicken or herbs stay fresh longer, preventing freezer burn, consider a FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine. These tools transform your cooking experience, making it more efficient and enjoyable.
While this recipe doesn’t call for a blender, some variations, or even other dishes like a smooth Squash Sweet Potato Soup, could benefit from the power of a Ninja BN751 Professional Plus DUO Blender. Its 1000W motor is perfect for tahini sauce or harissa paste, offering incredible versatility in the kitchen. For those who love crispy chicken or perfectly roasted vegetables to accompany their pasta, the Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt is ideal, capable of roasting chickpeas and vegetables perfectly with a large family capacity. It’s also fantastic for adding a crispy element to your chicken without deep frying. Speaking of easy weeknight meals, exploring other options like a flavorful Chicken Sausage Sweet Potato Soup can keep your meal rotation exciting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients beforehand ensures a smooth cooking process. Here’s what you’ll need for this delicious Parmesan Chicken Pasta:
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced thin, cutlets, or cubed)
- Olive oil
- Butter (for cooking chicken)
- Salt (sea salt, kosher salt)
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning/Italian mixed herbs
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Chilli/red pepper flakes (optional, for a subtle kick)
- Flour (for dredging chicken, optional for crispy coating)
- Italian style breadcrumbs (optional, for crispy chicken)
- Parmesan cheese (for breading chicken, optional)
- Dried parsley (for chicken seasoning)
- Oregano (for chicken seasoning)
- Thyme (for chicken seasoning)
- Lemon juice (for chicken marinade, optional)
- Dijon mustard (for chicken marinade, optional)
For the Pasta & Sauce:
- Pasta (penne, cavatappi, fusilli, ditalini, rigatoni, farfalle, mafalde, spaghetti, linguine, ziti or other short/medium pasta shapes)
- Unsalted butter
- Onion (brown, yellow, diced, or shallots)
- Fresh garlic (minced, pressed, or grated)
- All-purpose flour (as a thickener for sauce)
- Chicken broth/stock
- Heavy cream (thickened cream, double cream)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Baby spinach (optional, for a touch of green)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Dry white wine (optional, for deglazing the pan)
- Marinara sauce (for Chicken Parm Pasta variations, optional)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (for Chicken Parm Pasta variations, optional)
- Panko breadcrumbs (for crispy topping, optional)
- Lemon zest (for brightness, optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your perfect Parmesan Chicken Pasta:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets, or cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Season the chicken generously with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and/or paprika. For an extra flavor boost, some prefer a quick marinade with olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, and Dijon mustard.
- Optional for Crispy Chicken: In a shallow dish, melt butter. In another dish, combine Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and all-purpose flour. Dip chicken cutlets first in melted butter, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Heat olive oil and/or butter in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
- Cook the seasoned or breaded chicken for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure even cooking.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips or cubes.
2. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add your chosen pasta, such as penne or cavatappi, and cook according to package directions until al dente, or 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Before draining, reserve ½ to 1½ cups of the starchy pasta cooking water. This liquid gold will be crucial for adjusting your sauce consistency.
- Drain the pasta and set aside. If preparing ahead, you can rinse with cold water to prevent sticking, but generally, it’s best to add warm pasta directly to the sauce.
3. Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, add a bit more butter or oil if needed, and melt it over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 2-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Optional: Deglaze the pan with dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer until mostly evaporated.
- Stir in all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to create a roux, which will thicken your sauce.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring often, and let it thicken for 3-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and wonderfully creamy.
- Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. Some recipes also add garlic powder, lemon zest, or a squeeze of lemon juice at this stage for added brightness.
- For a Marinara-Based Sauce: After cooking onion and garlic, add marinara sauce and a teaspoon of salt, bringing it to a low simmer instead of the cream sauce steps.
4. Combine and Serve:
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce in the skillet and toss to coat thoroughly, ensuring every strand is deliciously covered.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Stir in baby spinach (if using) and cook until just wilted.
- Add the sliced or cubed cooked chicken back into the pan with the pasta and sauce, tossing gently to combine and warm through.
- For Chicken Parmesan Pasta: For an extra cheesy baked version, transfer the pasta and chicken mixture to a baking dish, top with shredded mozzarella, and bake in a preheated oven (around 400°F or 200°C) for 5-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy your homemade Parmesan Chicken Pasta!
Frequently Asked Questions About Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Here are answers to some common questions about making this delightful dish:
- Can I use pre-grated Parmesan cheese instead of freshly grated?
While freshly grated Parmesan is highly recommended for its superior melting properties, smoother sauce texture, and richer flavor, pre-grated Parmesan can be used in a pinch. Just be aware that it might not melt as seamlessly.
- How can I make this recipe lighter?
To lighten up your Parmesan Chicken Pasta, you can swap heavy cream for half-and-half or evaporated milk. Consider using whole wheat pasta for added fiber and reducing the amount of butter used for cooking.
- What kind of pasta works best for Parmesan Chicken Pasta?
Medium to short pasta shapes with crevices or a tubular design, such as penne, fusilli, rigatoni, cavatappi, or ziti, are excellent as they hold the creamy sauce well. Long noodles like spaghetti or linguine are also perfectly suitable and often preferred for their elegant presentation.
- Can I substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts. They tend to be more forgiving and stay moister during cooking, offering a slightly richer flavor.
- What can I serve with Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta?
Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta pairs beautifully with a simple green leafy salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette, roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, or a crusty loaf of garlic bread to soak up all that delicious sauce.
- How do I prevent the sauce from splitting?
To keep your sauce smooth and creamy, stir the cream and milk gently over low heat and avoid bringing it to a rapid boil. Using heavy cream also provides a higher fat content, which helps stabilize the sauce and significantly reduces the risk of splitting.
- Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
Most creamy pasta dishes, including Parmesan Chicken Pasta, are not typically recommended for freezing. The sauce can separate or become grainy upon reheating, affecting both texture and taste.
- How do I reheat leftover Parmesan Chicken Pasta?
When reheating, add a splash of water, milk, or chicken broth to the pasta to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.
- What if my sauce looks too thin?
The sauce will naturally thicken as it cools and as the pasta absorbs some of the liquid. You can also finish cooking the pasta for the last 2 minutes directly in the sauce to help it thicken. Alternatively, simmer the sauce gently for a bit longer, or whisk in a very small amount of a flour-water slurry.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free or dairy-free?
Yes, this recipe is adaptable! For a gluten-free version, simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta. For a dairy-free take, substitute regular butter with vegan butter or olive oil, use a plant-based alternative to heavy cream (like full-fat coconut cream or cashew cream), and omit or use a vegan Parmesan cheese substitute.
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