You’ll Love This Irresistibly Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Name: You’ll Love This Irresistibly Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 boneless chicken breasts; 3 tbsp butter; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1½ cups heavy cream; 1 cup freshly grated parmesan; 8 oz penne or fettuccine; Salt & pepper to taste; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; Fresh parsley (optional)

BY Emily Parker June 9, 2025

Garlic parmesan chicken pasta served hot on a rustic table with creamy sauce and seared chicken

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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the kind of creamy comfort food that turns an ordinary night into something you actually look forward to. Juicy chicken, fresh garlic, and real parmesan come together in a rich sauce that coats every strand of pasta and the best part? You can make it on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or even in an Instant Pot.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

The exact ingredients that make the sauce extra silky and flavorful
Step-by-step cooking options (stovetop, crockpot, pressure cooker)
Smart substitutions if you want it lighter, spicier, or faster
The best way to store and reheat it without losing creaminess

Whether you’re cooking for the family or just craving a bowl of creamy pasta after a long day, this garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe is going to be a repeat favorite. Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

The Creamy Comfort of Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A memory-loaded pasta recipe that still feels like home

Before it became a viral creamy chicken pasta recipe on the internet, this dish lived in my childhood kitchen. I can still remember the smell of garlic sizzling in butter, parmesan slowly melting into cream, and my aunt tossing it all over hot fettuccine. That moment a warm bowl, a full table, and zero leftovers is exactly why this recipe will always feel like comfort.

Today, I make a faster, easier version that keeps the same flavor but fits real weeknight life. Still creamy, still garlicky, still 100% satisfying whether you’re cooking for family or serving guests.

If you love this kind of cozy pasta, you’ll also enjoy my Marry Me Chicken Pasta and Tuscan Chicken Pasta, two more rich and crowd-pleasing recipes.

What Makes This Pasta So Irresistible?

The secret is in the sauce — a rich, velvety garlic parmesan cream that coats every strand of pasta. Fresh garlic sautéed in melted butter, real parmesan (not the powdered kind), and a splash of cream come together to make a silky, restaurant-style sauce in minutes. Then comes the juicy chicken pan-seared for flavor or swapped with rotisserie if you’re in a hurry.

This recipe is loved for three simple reasons:

Ultra-creamy garlic parmesan sauce
Tender chicken that turns pasta into a full meal
Total flexibility swap pasta shapes, proteins, or add-ins

Use fettuccine for a classic feel, penne for an easy fork-friendly bite, or rigatoni if you love sauce pockets. You can even make it lighter with half-and-half or richer with extra parmesan.

The Ingredients That Make It Magic

This garlic parmesan chicken pasta uses simple ingredients but when they come together, they create a rich, creamy sauce that tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant.

Here’s what gives it that signature flavor:

Chicken — boneless breasts or thighs for juicy bites
Fresh garlic — the real star, not powder
Butter — for that glossy, velvety base
Heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
Freshly grated parmesan — melts smoothly and adds real depth
Pasta — penne, fettuccine, rigatoni… any shape works
Optional extras — Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms

Why fresh garlic + real parmesan matter
Using pre-shredded cheese or jarred garlic will change the flavor and texture. Freshly grated parmesan melts into the sauce instead of turning grainy, and real garlic builds that deep, buttery aroma that makes this dish irresistible.

Time-saving swaps

Use rotisserie chicken for a 15-minute version
Swap cream for evaporated milk if you’re out
Add baby spinach for a one-pan meal
Want extra protein? Try chicken sausage instead of grilled chicken

Here’s what I typically use:

Ingredients for garlic parmesan chicken pasta including chicken, garlic, cream, and parmesan

Cooking this dish starts with searing the chicken to a golden brown. Then in the same skillet, garlic is sautéed in butter until fragrant. That’s when you pour in the cream and melt in the cheese—hello, creamy garlic dream.

This recipe is flexible too. Short on time? Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Need to make it lighter? Swap the cream for milk and add more broth. Want a baked version? Check out the cheesy Marry Me Chicken Pasta for a crispy finish.

Why fresh parmesan and garlic matter

It might be tempting to grab the green can of grated parmesan—but for garlic parmesan chicken pasta, freshly grated cheese is key. It melts better, tastes richer, and adds depth to the sauce. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from blending smoothly.

The same goes for garlic. Fresh cloves have a sharper, fuller flavor than jarred or powdered garlic. It’s worth the extra 30 seconds to mince a few cloves by hand. Your pasta will thank you.

Easy Ways to Cook Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Slow cooker and pressure cooker options

One of the reasons garlic parmesan chicken pasta is so popular is that it works with any cooking method stovetop, crockpot, or Instant Pot and still gives you that same creamy, restaurant-style sauce. If you love easy dump-and-go meals, the slow cooker version is perfect for busy days, while the stovetop version is ideal when you want dinner ready in under 30 minutes. Instant Pot fans can make it in one pot with zero babysitting and no extra dishes. No matter the method, the garlic, butter, and parmesan always deliver the same comfort-food flavor.

Slow Cooker Version: Add chicken, garlic, seasonings, and broth to the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours. Shred the chicken, then stir in cooked pasta, heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan. Switch to WARM and let the sauce thicken. This method is ideal if you want a hands-off garlic parmesan chicken pasta recipe that still turns out creamy, garlicky, and full of flavor.

Instant Pot Version: Use the sauté function to brown the chicken and garlic, add pasta and broth, then pressure cook for 7–8 minutes. Quick-release, then stir in the cream and parmesan until the sauce melts and thickens. This is the fastest way to make creamy chicken parmesan pasta in one pot with no extra pans to wash.

Chicken pieces seared to golden brown in skillet for garlic parmesan chicken pasta

Add your own twist

Add Your Own Twist: Customize this creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta by adding spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or even a spoonful of pesto. Want extra heat? Add crushed red pepper. Prefer smoky flavor? Swap the chicken for chicken sausage or grilled shrimp. You can also use rigatoni, shells, or bow-tie pasta — the garlic parmesan sauce coats any shape perfectly.

Don’t be afraid to swap the pasta shape either. While fettuccine and penne are traditional, this dish works beautifully with shells or bowtie pasta too. The sauce clings well to any shape, making it a true weeknight winner.

Storing and Reheating Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Best ways to store leftovers

Garlic parmesan chicken pasta keeps its creamy texture surprisingly well, making it a great meal-prep or leftover-friendly recipe. Just store it the right way and the sauce stays smooth instead of drying out or turning grainy.

Fridge Storage: Let the pasta cool, then store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keeping the sauce and pasta together helps the flavors deepen instead of separating.

Freezer Tip: Don’t freeze the pasta — only freeze the sauce and chicken for up to 2 months. When reheating, just boil fresh pasta and mix it in. This keeps the texture creamy instead of mushy.

Reheat it right (without drying it out)

To reheat garlic parmesan chicken pasta without drying it out, always add a splash of milk, broth, or cream and warm it gently. Low heat = smooth sauce, high heat = oily, separated sauce.

Stovetop Reheat: Add 1–2 tbsp of milk or broth, warm on low, and stir until creamy again. Best method for perfect texture.

Microwave Reheat: Add a splash of liquid, cover, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring each time so the sauce stays smooth.

Avoid high heat, which can make the sauce greasy. If you notice the sauce thickening too much, just thin it with a little more cream or broth.

Conclusion

Garlic parmesan chicken pasta is the kind of creamy comfort food that works on any day of the week quick weeknights, meal prep Sundays, or even a cozy date-night dinner. With its rich garlic-parmesan sauce, tender chicken, and endless cooking variations, it earns its spot as a repeat recipe. No matter how you cook it (stovetop, crockpot, or Instant Pot), it always delivers that same creamy, satisfying flavor — and the leftovers reheat beautifully.

Want more creamy pasta recipes and easy chicken dinners? Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for new ideas every week.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is garlic parmesan chicken pasta?

It’s a creamy chicken pasta recipe made with garlic, parmesan, butter, and heavy cream — a rich sauce that coats every bite of pasta. You can make it in one skillet, slow cooker, or Instant Pot.

How do you make garlic parmesan chicken pasta?

Sear chicken until golden, sauté garlic in butter, add cream and parmesan, then mix it all with cooked pasta. You can also make it in a slow cooker or pressure cooker for easier prep.

3. Can I make it in a slow cooker or pressure cooker?

Yes! It works great in both. In a slow cooker, cook the chicken and garlic first, then stir in the dairy and pasta at the end. In a pressure cooker, sauté then pressure cook the pasta, chicken, and broth together before finishing with cream and cheese.