Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Printable)
Tender chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy Parmesan sauce with garlic and pasta for a rich flavor.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Pasta
06 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
→ Sauce
07 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - ½ cup chicken broth
11 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
12 - ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
13 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
14 - ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
# How to Make:
01 - Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
05 - Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth; bring to a gentle simmer.
06 - Whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add sun-dried tomatoes and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
07 - Return sliced chicken to the pan. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed. Remove from heat, stir in fresh basil, and serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
- Leftovers somehow taste even better, making it perfect for meal prep
02 -
- Don't let the cream come to a rolling boil or it might separate and break on you
- The pasta continues absorbing sauce as it sits, so keep that pasta water handy if you're reheating leftovers
03 -
- Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly into the sauce
- Grate your Parmesan from a wedge to avoid a grainy sauce