I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of preparing the garlic parmesan chicken pasta.
Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
What is Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta?
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a delicious meal that combines tender chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce prepared from parmesan cheese and garlic.
The meal contains fresh herbs, cooked garlic, and vegetables such as sun-dried tomatoes, or spinach for better flavour.
The creamy sauce is prepared with butter, heavy cream, and grated parmesan.
It is perfect for a special occasion or a quick dinner, providing a savoury mix of flavours.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Rich and Creamy Flavor: The mix of parmesan and garlic offers a rich, savoury sauce that coats the chicken and pasta, providing a warm and delicious flavour.
Quick and Easy to Prepare: It is a quick and easy-to-prepare recipe, making it great for busy weeknights.
Versatile Ingredients: This recipe is highly versatile, you can change the vegetables, protein or spices based on your choice.
One-Pot Meal Option: For easy cleanup, you can prepare this meal in one pot cooking the sauce and pasta together. It saves time and also improves the flavour.
Comfort Food: This is a great comforting food. It is delicious, filling and perfect for cozy dinners or get-togethers.
Tips
Choose the Right Pasta: Choose pasta shapes that are good for holding the sauce like fettuccine, penne, or rotini as they will help capture the delicious creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
Cooking the Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta according to package instructions, but stop cooking one or two minutes before the pasta is completely cooked.
It will continue to cook when mixed with the sauce to help avoid mushy pasta.
Using Fresh Garlic: Using freshly minced garlic will offer a stronger flavor in comparison to pre-minced or powder garlic.
Saute until fragrant, but be cautious not to keep cooking after it becomes fragrant since burnt garlic tastes bitter.
Seasoning the Chicken: Before cooking, season the chicken breast well with salt, pepper, and any additional spices you prefer, such as Italian seasoning or paprika.
This will help enhance the flavour of the chicken.
Searing the Chicken: Sear the chicken in a hot skillet with olive oil or butter to get a nice golden colour on the outside. This will yield a stronger flavour and texture.
Cook until the chicken takes on a golden colour and is completely cooked, then allow it to rest before slicing.
Variations
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta: Replace chicken with shrimp. Cook the shrimp until pink and done, then toss with the garlic Parmesan sauce and pasta.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli: Serve with steamed or sautéed broccoli florets added to the pasta for a health meal.
Broccoli complements the creamy sauce and provides a splash of color to the meal.
Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice, along with lemon zest, over the sauce for a citrusy, zesty taste.
This is a refreshing choice for spring or summer.
Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauce for some heat.
You can adjust the quantity according to your desired heat level.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with Spinach: Add fresh spinach leaves at the last moment before serving.
Pasta heat will wilt the spinach, and this will provide a splash of colour and nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Garlic Bread: A timeless combination, garlic bread is ideal for sopping up excess sauce. Prepare it using a baguette, ciabatta, or even dinner rolls.
Caesar Salad: A refreshing Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing pairs well with the rich pasta and provides a nice crunch.
Antipasto Platter: Prepare an antipasto platter with cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables. This can be a wonderful appetizer or side dish.
Grilled or Sautéed Shrimp: As an added protein option, grill or sauté shrimp on the side. Season them with garlic and lemon to complement the pasta.
Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles): As a lighter alternative, serve the zucchini noodles with the pasta. They can be quickly sautéed and mixed with olive oil and garlic.
Storing and Freezing
Storing
- Before storing, let the pasta cool at room temperature.
- Transfer it to an air-tight container. It maintains freshness and avoids odours from other foods.
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing
- Divide the pasta into individual portions to allow easy reheating.
- Use resealable plastic bags or freezer-safe containers, and eliminate as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.
- You can put it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Before reheating, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a bit of broth or a little cream to maintain the creamy texture of the sauce.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the garlic parmesan chicken pasta offers a delicious meal that combines the pasta with tender chicken.
Whether you are looking for a comforting meal to impress guests or a quick weeknight dish, it is sure to please everyone’s taste buds.
So why don’t you give the garlic parmesan chicken pasta a try? Grab your ingredients and start enjoying the cooking process.
Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below.
Read More:- Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- For the Pasta:
- 8 oz about 225g pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
- Salt for pasta water
- For the Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a pot add salted water and let it boil. Add the pasta and cook as per the instructions of the package until cooked. Reserve around a cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and put it aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- In a big skillet, put the olive oil and warm over medium-high flame. Add the chicken breasts and cook for around 7 minutes per side, or until turn golden brown.
- Take the chicken out from the skillet and allow it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.
- In the similar skillet, lower the flame and add the butter. Once it is melted, add minced garlic and cook until smells nice, it may take around 1 minute.
- Add the heavy cream and gently heat it until turns bubbly. Mix in the Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese until the sauce turns smooth and cheese starts melting.
- If the sauce is too thick, add some pasta water to get your desired thickness. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
- Add the pasta to the sauce, ensure to coat the pasta evenly. Slice the chicken and use it as a topping on the pasta.
- It’s time to serve the pasta. You can garnish it with more parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
