This garlic chicken parmesan pasta is so comforting, has the easiest cheesy sauce, and is the perfect full meal!
There's nothing like an easy pasta recipe with protein that is not only tasty, but also a satisfying and filling meal! This garlic chicken parmesan pasta is just that. With golden bites of chicken, farfalle, and an easy, garlicky, cheese sauce, this pasta dish couldn't be tastier! One of our favorite parts is that even though it's so comforting and delicious, the sauce uses chicken broth and milk, making it on the lighter side too!
We tested this recipe a couple times and each time it came together perfectly and was so easy! There's nothing like having a recipe in your collection that is reliable and ready in just 40 minutes. Another great thing about this recipe is it could easily be doubled if you're serving a bigger group. If you like garlic, then you'll definitely have to give this one a try!
If you're in the mood for another satisfying pasta recipe, be sure to try our Four Cheese Pasta Cheesecake Factory Copycat, or if you're looking for another chicken and pasta recipe, you'll love our Piccata Milanese with Pasta.
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Why You'll Love this Garlic Chicken Parmesan Pasta
It's a filling whole meal in one dish. Between the chicken and the pasta, this easy recipe is all you need for a protein-filled whole dinner ready in under an hour!
It's really comforting and satisfying. If you're in the mood for some comfort food that tastes like your favorite restaurant pasta dish, then this homemade one will fill you with joy!
The garlic and cheese sauce is beyond delicious! The easy and cheesy sauce that brings this dish together will have you scraping every last bit from the pan. It's seriously so good and my new favorite homemade sauce!
Ingredients for this Chicken and Pasta Dish
This recipe has a simple list of ingredients, many of which you might already have on hand or could be substituted, which is another reason why this dish is so great!
- Chicken breasts - The chicken is cut into 1-inch pieces then seared until golden, making it the perfect bite-sized addition to this pasta dish!
- Garlic powder - I find tossing the chicken in a little garlic powder adds some extra flavor.
- Farfalle pasta (or another short shape) - Farfalle is our favorite pasta shape for this recipe, but you can use any other short pasta shape!
- Olive oil - Just 2 tablespoons for pan searing the chicken!
- Butter - A little butter for quickly cooking the minced garlic and shallot.
- Garlic - Key for this garlicky recipe! You could add a little more or less depending on how much you like garlic.
- Shallot - One finely chopped shallot adds the best mild oniony flavor.
- Flour - Key to thickening up the sauce, ensuring it's the perfect consistency to coat the ingredients
- Chicken broth - I love including chicken broth to add flavor and make sure the sauce to ingredient ratio is spot on! Vegetable broth would also work great.
- Lemon juice - Just a little adds some brightness to the sauce, without adding an actual lemon flavor.
- Milk - Perfect for making this sauce satisfying and creamy, without adding any cream! If you wanted to make this richer, you could also substitute some cream.
- Parmesan cheese - Another key ingredient for this cheesy pasta recipe! Make sure to use freshly grated parmesan as that is essential for ensuring it melts into the sauce.
- Parsley - Pairs so well with the other flavors and is also such a pretty garnish.
See recipe card below for quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
This pasta dish is super simple and ready in just 40 minutes! You also need minimal dishes to make this which is always ideal.
STEP 1: Prepare chicken. Add chicken to a medium bowl and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss until chicken pieces are evenly seasoned.
STEP 2: Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook farfalle until just shy of al dente.
STEP 3: Cook the chicken. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in an even layer (doing multiple batches if needed) and sear chicken until deeply golden. Flip each piece of chicken and sauté until browned and cooked through (see note). Remove to a plate.
STEP 4: Make the sauce. Melt the butter in the same skillet set over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until the shallot is softened. Add in the flour and stir until combined, then cook for 1 minute until golden. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, and use a wooden spoon to stir and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened slightly, then pour in the milk. Continue cooking until the sauce starts to thicken, ensuring it never comes to a boil, and stirring constantly. Once thickened stir in the parmesan cheese and parsley, and season with salt and pepper as needed.
STEP 5: Combine and finish the dish. Add the cooked pasta and return the chicken to the skillet. Stir and continue cooking until the chicken is warmed through, 3-4 minutes. Serve with additional parsley and parmesan.
Tips for Making this Garlic Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- It's key to pan sear the chicken until it's very golden! Don't worry if there are browned bits in the pan, they add the best flavor to the sauce and are essential in my opinion.
- Make sure not to skip the flour as it helps thicken up the sauce and ensure it's the perfect consistency for coating the chicken and the pasta.
- When cooking the sauce, you want it to be simmering but to never come to a boil as this may cause the milk to separate. It's also helpful to constantly stir the sauce to make sure that nothing is burning at the bottom of the skillet.
FAQs
Can this recipe be doubled?
Yes, this is a great recipe for doubling, you'll just likely need to sear the chicken in batches and then maybe use a dutch oven instead of a large skillet so that everything can fit.
Can I use less garlic?
Yes! While it does make the recipe live up to its name, if you don't love garlic you can reduce the number of cloves used. If you're a big garlic person, then feel free to add a few more!
What time of year is this pasta recipe best for?
While it'd be a super warm and comforting meal for the winter, this is actually also a great pasta recipe for the warmer months too because it doesn't require turning on the oven!
Storing and Freezing
This recipe is best served right away, but can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days and reheated in the microwave or on the stove before serving. If you're reheating it on the stove, I'd recommend adding a splash of chicken broth to the pan to help thin the sauce out a bit as it may have thickened up in the fridge.
I don't recommend freezing this recipe, but if you wanted to I would suggest freezing it in individual portion-sized containers.
If you make this recipe we would absolutely love if you left a star review and/or comment! Also, make sure to tag us on Instagram @doublethespoonfuls so we can see what you create.
📖 Recipe
Garlic Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- 8 ounces farfalle pasta (or another short shape)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 shallot minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ⅔ cups parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus additional for serving
- 1 teaspoon parsley finely chopped, plus additional for serving
Instructions
- Add chicken to a medium bowl and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss until chicken pieces are evenly seasoned.1 pound chicken breasts, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook farfalle until just shy of al dente.8 ounces farfalle pasta (or another short shape)
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in an even layer (doing multiple batches if needed) and sear chicken until deeply golden. Flip each piece of chicken and sauté until browned and cooked through (see note). Remove to a plate.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 pound chicken breasts
- Melt the butter in the same skillet set over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until the shallot is softened. Add in the flour and stir until combined, then cook for 1 minute until golden. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, and use a wooden spoon to stir and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened slightly, then pour in the milk. Continue cooking until the sauce starts to thicken, ensuring it never comes to a boil, and stirring constantly. Once thickened stir in the parmesan cheese and parsley, and season with salt and pepper as needed.kosher salt, 2 tablespoons butter, 4 cloves garlic, 1 shallot, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 ½ cups milk, ⅔ cups parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon parsley, black pepper
- Add the cooked pasta and return the chicken to the skillet. Stir and continue cooking until the chicken is warmed through, 3-4 minutes. Serve with additional parsley and parmesan.⅔ cups parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon parsley
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