This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta features a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce tossed with tender spaghetti and perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s easy to make at home and guaranteed to be a family favorite!
Try our Creamy Broccoli Pasta or Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta next!
😍Why You’ll Love It
A pasta dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor? Yes, please! This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the perfect balance of savory, garlicky, and zesty, with a hint of lemon to brighten everything up. The best part? It’s simple, made with pantry staples, and comes together in about 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
The homemade parmesan sauce is ultra creamy without being heavy, and the thin spaghetti soaks up all the goodness. Plus, you can totally customize it by adding spinach, mushrooms, or even a little extra spice!
✅What You’ll Need
- Chicken broth – Adds depth and enhances the overall flavor while keeping the sauce from feeling too heavy. Substitute: Vegetable broth or a mix of water and bouillon if needed.
- Half and half – For that creamy, silky texture without being overly rich. Substitute: Heavy cream for a richer sauce or whole milk for a lighter version.
- Worcestershire sauce & Dijon mustard – These two ingredients add a subtle umami boost and a touch of tanginess that makes the sauce extra flavorful. Tip: Don’t skip these—they help balance the richness!
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated works best for a smooth, melty texture. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- Garlic – The heart of this dish! Freshly minced garlic adds bold, aromatic flavor. Shortcut: Use pre-minced garlic, but fresh is always best.
- Seasonings – A mix of oregano, basil, parsley, onion powder, and red chili flakes for just the right amount of flavor and heat.
- Chicken breast – Sliced into strips and seasoned with lemon pepper. Substitute: Chicken thighs for extra juiciness or shrimp for a seafood twist.
- Olive oil & butter – Use unsalted butter so you can control the seasoning.
- Thin spaghetti – Light, delicate, and perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce. Substitute: Fettuccine, linguine, or penne if you prefer a different pasta shape.
🔪How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
This is a quick overview—see the recipe card below for exact measurements and full instructions.
Prep the Chicken – Slice into 2-inch strips, season with lemon pepper, and sear in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
Make the Sauce – Deglaze the pan with chicken broth and reduce by half. Add butter, garlic, and flour, then slowly whisk in the sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then simmer.
Cook the Pasta – Boil until al dente, then drain.
Combine & Serve – Toss the pasta and chicken in the sauce. Remove from heat, add lemon juice, and garnish with parsley.
👨🍳Helpful Tips
- Use freshly grated parmesan – Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as smoothly into the sauce.
- Don’t overcook the pasta – You want it al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when tossed in the sauce.
- Want a little heat? Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
✨Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the chicken for shrimp or salmon for a seafood twist.
- Use fettuccine, penne, or any pasta you have on hand.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Try heavy cream instead of half and half for a richer sauce.
🍽️Serving Suggestions
This dish is amazing on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, try it with:
- A fresh side salad – A classic Caesar Salad or Cucumber and Tomato Salad pairs perfectly.
- Garlic bread – Because extra garlic is always a good idea.
- Roasted veggies – Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or green beans work great.
🗄️Leftovers and Storage
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Not recommended for freezing – The creamy sauce may separate when thawed.
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is creamy, garlicky, and packed with flavor! Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend meal, it’s always a hit. Let me know if you try it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon EACH: dried oregano, basil, parsley, onion powder
Pasta & Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 ¼ teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ pound thin spaghetti
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Whisk the Sauce: Mix 1 ¼ cups chicken broth, 1 cup half and half, ½ chicken bouillon cube, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes, ½ teaspoon EACH: dried oregano, basil, parsley, onion powder in a measuring cup and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast to even thickness, cut into 2-inch strips, pat dry, and season with 1 ¼ teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- Boil the Pasta: While making the sauce, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook ½ pound thin spaghetti until al dente.
- Deglaze the Pan: Add ½ cup chicken broth to the skillet over medium heat, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 3-4 minutes until reduced by half.
- Make the Sauce: Add 3 tablespoons butter and 4 cloves fresh garlic, cook 1 minute. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour, cook 2 minutes. Gradually add the sauce mixture, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Finish the Dish: Lower heat, stir in ¾ cup parmesan cheese until melted. Drain pasta and toss with sauce and chicken. Let the chicken heat through.
- Serve: Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, garnish with 1 tablespoon parsley, and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
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Donna says
If I don't have a bouillon cube how much powder would I use for the 1/2 bouillon cube for the receipe?
Tatiana says
Hi Donna! Great question! You can substitute ½ bouillon cube with ½ teaspoon of bouillon powder. It should give you the same depth of flavor.
Olivia says
This pasta was amazing! The sauce was so creamy, and the garlic flavor was just right. My husband went back for seconds, and that never happens with pasta! Definitely saving this recipe.
Tatiana says
That’s the best kind of compliment, Olivia! So glad it was a hit in your house. Thanks for trying the recipe and sharing your feedback!
Nathan says
Made this for dinner tonight, and wow—so good! The sauce was velvety smooth, and the chicken was perfectly seasoned. I added mushrooms, and it worked really well. Will definitely be making this again!
Tatiana says
Mushrooms sound like a fantastic addition, Nathan! Love that you put your own twist on it. Thanks for the review, and I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Sophia says
This was a huge hit in my house! I love how easy it was to put together, and the flavors were incredible. I used fettuccine instead of spaghetti, and it worked great. Will be making this often!
Tatiana says
Fettuccine is a great choice, Sophia! So happy to hear your family loved it. Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Ethan says
This is hands down one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever made. The lemon pepper on the chicken adds so much flavor, and the garlic parmesan sauce is perfection. Better than takeout!
Tatiana says
That’s such a great compliment, Ethan! So happy you enjoyed it—homemade always wins! Thanks for trying the recipe and leaving a review.
Lily says
Tried this recipe tonight, and it was amazing! The sauce was rich and creamy, but not too heavy. I added a little extra garlic because I love garlic, and it turned out perfect. Can’t wait to make it again!
Tatiana says
Extra garlic is always a good idea, Lily! So glad you loved it. Thanks for trying the recipe and sharing your experience!
Zana says
This was absolutely delicious! The creamy garlic Parmesan sauce coated the pasta perfectly, and the chicken was so tender. My whole family loved it, and there were no leftovers! Definitely adding this to our weekly rotation.
Tatiana says
Zana, that makes me so happy to hear! Nothing better than a recipe that the whole family enjoys. Thanks for giving it a try!
Emily says
So creamy and delicious! The garlic and Parmesan combo is perfect, and the chicken stayed really tender. Super easy to make too. This will definitely be on our dinner rotation!
Tatiana says
Thanks, Emily! Easy + creamy + garlicky = a total win. So glad you loved it and that it’s joining your regular meal lineup!
Brian says
So creamy, so cheesy, so perfect! This was incredibly easy to make, and everyone in my family asked for seconds. Definitely a keeper!
Tatiana says
That’s the best kind of feedback, Brian! Happy to hear it was a hit with the whole family!
Laura says
So creamy, cheesy, and delicious! I threw it together after a long day, and it felt like such a treat. Definitely adding it to the rotation!
Tatiana says
Laura, that’s exactly why I love this recipe—easy but feels indulgent! So happy you enjoyed it!