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An overhead shot of a skillet filled with creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, ready to be served.

Parmesan Chicken Pasta: A Creamy, Dreamy One-Pan Dinner

Discover the ultimate weeknight comfort food with this easy one-pan Parmesan Chicken Pasta. A creamy, dreamy, and flavorful dish made with simple ingredients that the whole family will love. Ready in just 30 minutes!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter divided
  • 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 3 cups Chicken Broth low-sodium
  • 1 cup Milk whole milk preferred
  • 8 oz Penne Pasta uncooked
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Knife

Method
 

Main
  1. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  2. In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and milk, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer. Stir in the dry pasta and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce is creamy. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine.
  5. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For the creamiest sauce, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Blocks of Parmesan can be found in the dairy aisle.
Feel free to add 1-2 cups of fresh spinach at the end for extra nutrients. The residual heat will wilt it perfectly.