Garlic Chicken Pasta is a quick and easy go-to meal that’s super delicious and family friendly. This recipe is made with juicy chunks of chicken and pasta in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. It takes just 30 minutes and can easily be modified to suit a low carb or gluten free diet, if needed.
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My recipe for Easy Garlic Chicken has been super popular, and for good reason. It’s not only absolutely addicting, but it’s also a great option for when you’re short on time or ingredients.
This Garlic Chicken Pasta recipe is another quick and easy spin on garlic chicken that also uses mostly pantry ingredients. Pasta and a rich Parmesan cream sauce give it a comfort food touch.
It reminds me of a Pasta-Roni side dish that I used to eat for dinner back in my single days when I couldn’t cook to save my life. It was an angel hair pasta in Parmesan cream sauce very similar in flavor to this dish.
Why This Recipe Works
You could consider this a cheap pasta recipe in that it doesn’t use a lot of expensive ingredients. All you need is chicken, pasta, and a few other basic ingredients that you might even have on hand already.
This recipe can be made all in just one pan. It’s a very easy recipe to prepare and takes only 30 minutes.
If you prefer to eat low carb or gluten free, modifications for both can be found in the notes section at the bottom of this post.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken (cut into bite size cubes): I like to use tenders, but you can use chicken breasts or thighs.
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
Creamy Garlic Pasta:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 shallot (minced)
- 3-4 cups chicken stock
- 16 ounces penne pasta: or pasta shape of your choice. Rotini, spaghetti, angel hair or fettuccine will all work out great.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and mince the garlic and shallot.
Create!
Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
Add the butter to a large, deep skillet (I use Calphalon) over medium high heat and add the chicken.
Cook the chicken until golden brown and no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes. The internal temperature of chicken needs to reach 165°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion. Remove to a plate and tent with foil.
Melt the butter in the same skillet used to cook the chicken.
Stir in the minced garlic and shallot and cook until just softened, about 1 minute.
Carefully add 3 cups of chicken stock and pasta. Raise the heat to bring to a boil.
Cook the pasta until it’s al dente, about 4-6 minutes. If the pasta is not al dente when all of the stock is absorbed, you can gradually add more, as needed.
Add the heavy cream and cook for a minute or two until hot and bubbly.
Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and chicken until well coated with the cream sauce.
Present!
Garnish with extra shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh minced parsley, if desired.
How To Make Low Carb Garlic Chicken Pasta
To make this recipe low carb, omit the chicken stock and replace the pasta with konjac noodles, cooked spaghetti squash or zoodles. The sauce may be thinner due to the fact that spaghetti squash and zucchini will not absorb the liquid the way that regular pasta does.
How to Make Gluten Free Garlic Chicken Pasta
Making gluten free Garlic Chicken Pasta is easy. Simply swap out the traditional pasta for gluten free pasta.
Tips and Techniques
- You can swap out penne pasta for the pasta shape of your choice.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days.
FAQ’s
What To Make With Garlic Chicken Pasta?
Garlic Chicken Pasta pairs well with a simple salad or vegetable side dish such as broccoli, green beans, or Brussels sprouts.
You could also mix in spinach, steamed broccoli or peas.
More Garlic Chicken Recipes
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If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!
Garlic Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken (cut into bite size cubes)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
Creamy Garlic Pasta:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 shallot (minced)
- 3-4 cups chicken stock
- 16 ounces penne pasta (or pasta shape of your choice)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
Instructions
Chicken
- Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Add the butter to a large, deep skillet over medium high heat and add the chicken.1 tablespoon butter
- Cook the chicken until it's golden brown and no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes. The internal temperature of chicken needs to reach 165°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion. Remove to a plate and tent with foil.
Creamy Garlic Pasta
- Melt the butter in the same skillet used to cook the chicken.
- Add the garlic and shallot and cook until just softened, about 1 minute.1 tablespoon butter, 6 cloves garlic
- Carefully add 3 cups of chicken stock and pasta. Raise the heat to bring to a boil.1 shallot, 3-4 cups chicken stock, 16 ounces penne pasta
- Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until it's al dente, about 4-6 minutes. If the pasta is not al dente when all of the stock is absorbed, you can gradually add more, as needed.
- Add the heavy cream and cook a minute or two until hot and bubbly.1/2 cup heavy cream
- Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- Stir the chicken back in and toss to coat.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
How To Make Low Carb Garlic Chicken Pasta
To make this recipe low carb, omit the water and replace the pasta with spaghetti squash or zoodles. The sauce may be thinner due to the fact that spaghetti squash and zucchini will not absorb the liquid the way that regular pasta does. When I make this recipe for my family, I sometimes use a low carb, high protein edamame pasta (I like the Explore Cuisine brand) that I cook separately and stir in at the end.How to Make Gluten Free Garlic Chicken Pasta
Making gluten free Garlic Chicken Pasta is easy. Simply swap out the traditional pasta for gluten free pasta. ** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on May 5, 2020. It was updated with new images, an improved recipe with step-by-step instructions, tips, techniques and FAQ’s on October 28, 2024.
