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Cheesy Garlic Chicken Pasta with Creamy Parmesan Sauce (Easy 30-Minute Dinner)

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Ingredients

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  • 10 oz (280g) penne or rotini pasta
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (110g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Add-Ins

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Spinach
  • Broccoli florets
  • Mushrooms
  • Red pepper flakes for a little heat

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Season the sliced chicken with salt and black pepper. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and stir well. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Add the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until both cheeses are completely melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.

Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until every piece is coated in the creamy Parmesan sauce.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.

Step 6: Serve

 

Serve immediately while hot. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, or extra cracked black pepper if desired.