Chicken Parmesan and Garlic Pasta
A delicious bowl of chicken parmesan garlic pasta!
By: Merritt
A classic flavor combination for me is chicken and parmesan. Both are cozy and light, and this dish pairs chicken, parmesan, garlic, and your favorite pasta in a quick and easy meal that you will want to make over and over again.
Having a dinner recipe that you know is just going to hit the spot, will be filling, but is also healthy can be hard to find but this chicken, parmesan, and garlic pasta does it all! It is a light and easy to make meal that can serve your family on a week night, or be dressed up for an indulgent Saturday night. I love pairing this dish with a simple salad for a truly filling and delicious dinner.
This pasta dish uses the brightness of lemon and red pepper to balance out the rich and creaminess of the butter and parmesan. All paired with your favorite pasta shape, this dish truly is a fantastic meal.
Notes and Tips For Chicken, Parmesan, and Garlic Pasta
This dish can be made even faster by using rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. You can buy the chicken pre-shredded so that it can be tossed with the pasta at the end. This speeds up the cooking time and still tastes great!
This recipe uses both garlic powder and garlic cloves. The garlic powder is added both to the chicken breast and to the pasta. It adds a depth of flavor that is truly delicious! It also could not be called a garlic pasta without making sure there was lots of garlic in there!
Try to find parmesan dust or fresh grind a brick of parmesan at home. Fresh ground parmesan will emulsify better than pre-shredded cheese which can often contain stabilizers. Though still delicious and edible, you may find that your dish is not as smooth.
Common Questions
What Kind Of Chicken To Use?
This dish uses chicken breast that is seasoned and pan-seared before being mixed into the pasta. Chicken breast pairs well with the other flavors and reheats well with this dish.
You can also use broiled or grilled chicken thighs, if you prefer or a store bought pre-shredded chicken as mentioned above.
Though not necessary, you can dredge the chicken in flour prior to searing in the skillet. This can can help retain moisture by trapping in juices when seared. I prefer to use butter to baste the chicken throughout the searing process.
What Pasta to Use for this Dish?
You can use any pasta shape for this chicken, parmesan, and garlic pasta so I recommend using your favorite shape! The main shapes that I use are spaghetti, giant rigatoni, or angel hair. Though each of these are different in shape and texture, this dish is easy to pair with all three. The sauce is thick enough that it will stick to any pasta shape, unlike some recipes that use a specific pasta shape. Drop a comment or photo below on what kind of pasta you used!
What to Serve With Chicken, Parmesan and Garlic Pasta?
There are many side dishes that go well with this pasta dish. I have listed a few of my favorites below, but be sure to let me know what you like in the comments!
Spinach and Arugula Salad is a delicious and healthy salad that pairs so well with any pasta dish.
Miso Caesar Salad is a bright and crunchy salad that makes any meal feel lighter. Made with radicchio and a miso caesar dressing, this salad would be a wonderful addition to this pasta meal.
Add some vegetables to your dinner with a pan of parmesan crusted broccolini! Made with lots of garlic and full of savory flavor, this veggie side dish is a perfect addition to this dish.
This version is served with tomatoes and extra cheese.
What To Add To Chicken, Parmesan, and Garlic Pasta?
This pasta dish is light and easy to pair with add-ins that can add flavor or make this pasta dish a little heartier. Try adding a little bit of mayo for a truly creamy taste. You can also try adding caramelized onions, which are lightly sweet and give a great texture to this dish. You can also try mixing in peas, onions or broccoli. Peas are sweet and add a burst of flavor to every bite, while broccoli adds texture and fiber.
Do Fresh Lemons Make A Difference for Chicken, Parmesan, and Garlic Pasta?
Yes, fresh lemons make a huge difference in flavor when compared to using bottled lemon juice. This is mostly because using fresh lemons offers the chance to use lemon zest! Lemon zest is a great way to add a final touch of brightness to your pasta. The heavy notes from butter, parmesan, and garlic taste that much better when you add a dash of fresh lemon zest and juice.
How To Store Chicken Parmesan and Garlic Pasta:
You can store this pasta in a an airtight container. Let the pasta cool slightly before placing it in the fridge. To reheat the pasta, you can microwave in 30-45 seconds increments until heated through. You can also place the pasta in a skillet and mix in a little water. Stir frequently until heated through. The skillet is a great option for getting crispy cheese bits throughout!
Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan and Garlic Pasta
Recipe: Serves 2
For the Chicken Breast
- 1 lb chicken breast This should be one really large chicken breast or 2 small.
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 2 Tbs salted butter divided
- 1/2 tsp salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the Pasta
- 4-5 oz Pasta of choice
- 4-5 Large Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried basil fresh is great too!
- 1 Tbs salted butter
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese to taste. Parmesan dust is best for mixing into the pasta water!
- 1/2 tsp-1 tsp Red pepper flakes amount depends on how spicy you like!
- 1 lemon Zest separated
How To Make Chicken, Parmesan, and Garlic Pasta
Make the Chicken
Place your chicken breast on a plate and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, pressing the seasoning in.
Flip and season the other side.
To a shallow bottomed pan, add the olive oil and butter.
When just starting to bubble, add the chicken breast.
Flip every 2 minutes until the chicken is just cooked. Time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breast, but this should take about 10 minutes. You can speed the process up by using a meat mallet to pound the chicken thinner.
Remove the chicken to rest. Cut into thin pieces after 10-15 minutes.
2. Make the Pasta
To the same pan that the chicken was cooked in, add the garlic over medium heat.
Saute the garlic for about 1 minute and then add the pasta, garlic powder, basil, and red pepper (if using).
If the pan is getting dry, add a dash of olive oil or more butter.
Add enough water to almost cover the pasta (about 3 cups of water)
Stir to deglaze the bottom and the cover to let the pasta cook.
Cook for 7-10 minutes until the pasta is aldente. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pasta to a bowl.
Let the remaining water simmer and reduce for an additional 10 minutes or until there is about 1/4 inch of liquid in the bottom .
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter, the pasta, the chicken, and the parmesan chicken. Stir to combine.
Once the noodles and chicken are fully coated and the sauce is thick and bubbly, remove from the heat and add the lemon zest and a bit of lemon juice. Serve with tomatoes, cheese, or extra basil!
Chicken Parmesan Garlic Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast This should be one really large chicken breast or 2 small.
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 2 Tbs salted butter divided
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4-5 oz Pasta of choice
- 4-5 Large Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 Tbs salted butter
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp- 1 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 lemon
Instructions
Nutrition Facts
Calories
844Fat
38 gCarbs
58 gProtein
67 gCholesterol
208 mgNote: Nutritional information is an estimate only. Exact values will vary based on specific ingredients used.