Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Spaghetti is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken cooked in a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce, tossed with perfectly al dente spaghetti. This quick and easy skillet recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-size chunks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti, cooked al dente
Garnish (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken chunks with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Make the cream sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Add parmesan cheese: Lower the heat to medium-low and gradually stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely, and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Cook spaghetti: Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Toss the cooked spaghetti into the garlic parmesan sauce, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and stir to combine. Let everything cook together for 2 more minutes to meld the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and optional crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- To reduce calories, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free spaghetti.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to increase vegetable content.
- Ensure you don’t overcook garlic as it can become bitter if browned.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
