Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe for a Healthy Dinner

Introduction

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s creamy, flavorful, and nourishing, this Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is sure to hit the spot. It’s a weeknight winner, offering restaurant-quality taste in under an hour with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Garlic and parmesan combine for a sauce that’s irresistibly savory, while lean chicken breast adds protein, making this dish both satisfying and wholesome.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

The secret to this recipe’s popularity is its rich yet lightened-up sauce and the vivid pop of fresh garlic. It’s the kind of meal everyone at the table will love—kids and adults alike. Perfect for meal prep or a last-minute dinner, it only requires one pot, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, you can easily customize with your favorite veggies or swap in whole-wheat pasta for an even healthier twist.

Building Flavors: The Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Start by sautéing freshly minced garlic in olive oil to infuse the pasta with deep, aromatic flavor. A blend of chicken broth and a touch of milk lets you enjoy a luxuriously creamy sauce without the heaviness of cream. Parmesan melts into silky perfection, clinging to noodles and chicken with every bite. For added nutrition, consider tossing in spinach or steamed broccoli just before serving.

How to Combine Chicken and Pasta Effortlessly

Cook juicy, seasoned chicken pieces until golden, then simmer briefly in the sauce so they soak up all the garlicky goodness. After the chicken is cooked and the pasta is perfectly al dente, everything comes together in the pan, allowing the flavors to marry beautifully. A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top adds a welcome splash of color and brightness.

Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Dinner

For a balanced meal, serve your garlic parmesan chicken pasta with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables. A squeeze of lemon over the finished dish provides a zesty counterpoint to the savory sauce, while extra parmesan on top is always welcome! Pair with sparkling water or a chilled white wine for a special weeknight treat.

Nutritional Information and Servings

This recipe yields 4 hearty servings, each delivering around 410 calories, 35g protein, and plenty of calcium from the parmesan cheese. The healthy fats from olive oil and moderate carbs from pasta make for a meal that energizes without weighing you down.

Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Recap)

This pasta dish strikes the perfect balance between comfort food and healthy eating. With juicy chicken, a garlic-infused parmesan sauce, and endless options for customization, it’s a go-to dinner the whole family will request again and again.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Season diced chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Add a bit more olive oil if needed, then sauté minced garlic in the same pan over medium heat until fragrant (about 1 minute).
4. Pour in chicken broth and milk, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
5. Return cooked chicken to the pan. If adding spinach or broccoli, stir in now and cook until just wilted or warmed through.
6. Add cooked pasta. Toss until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and additional parmesan if desired. Enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for healthy weekly meal planning. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly plan which nights to enjoy it, while CookifyAI automatically consolidates and organizes your shopping list for all planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically totals ingredient amounts across all scheduled recipes
• Sorts your grocery list by store section for faster shopping
• Prevents duplicate items and forgotten ingredients
• Keeps your week’s meals healthy, balanced, and stress-free

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI’s schedule feature to see ingredient overlaps—for example, if you’re making this pasta and a breakfast casserole that both include milk, the app will total the exact amount needed, reducing overbuying and waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Enjoy nourishing, delicious dinners all week with this easy garlic parmesan chicken pasta—perfect for meal prep and busy nights!