Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings & Garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove from pan and let rest.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve some pasta water.
- Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic gently until fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes. Slowly add the heavy cream while stirring. Fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and cook until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Toss the cooked spaghetti and chicken in the garlic Parmesan sauce. Add reserved pasta water gradually as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the spaghetti evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately warm.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated for best flavor and melting.
- Gently sauté garlic to avoid bitterness and retain sweetness.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy and tender.
- Serve immediately for best texture before sauce thickens.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pasta option)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Spaghetti, creamy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, chicken pasta, garlic sauce