Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

While heavy cream produces the richest results, you can substitute half-and-half for a lighter version. Regular milk isn't recommended as it's too thin and may curdle. If using milk, create a roux first by adding a tablespoon of flour after cooking the garlic, then slowly add the milk to create a stable sauce.

What can I substitute for white wine?

If you don't have wine or prefer not to use it, substitute chicken broth with a squeeze of lemon juice for acidity. For depth of flavor, add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the broth.

Can I make this with whole wheat pasta?

Absolutely! Whole wheat pasta works great, though it may require slightly more pasta water to loosen the sauce as it tends to absorb more liquid than regular pasta.

How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?

The key is that reserved pasta water! Start with just a splash and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency. Remember that the sauce will continue to thicken as it stands, so it's better to keep it slightly thinner than you think you want.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

Name: Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients: 10.5 oz (300 g) pasta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon (20 g) unsalted butter; 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 medium shallot, finely diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning; ⅓ cup (75 ml) dry white wine; 1 cup (200 ml) heavy cream (double cream); ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan, grated; A handful of fresh parsley, chopped; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is a game-changer for dinner time! Ready in just 25 minutes, this restaurant-quality dish combines tender chicken pieces with a luscious, garlicky cream sauce that clings beautifully to your favorite pasta. The combination of subtle shallots, fragrant garlic, and rich Parmesan creates a depth of flavor that will make you think you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, when it’s actually one of the quickest meals you can whip up on a busy weeknight.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Satisfying: From pantry to plate in 25 minutes flat, making it perfect for those nights when you want something delicious without spending ages in the kitchen.
Versatile: Works with any pasta shape you have on hand, and you can easily add vegetables or adjust seasoning to your family’s preferences.
Impressive Yet Simple: The kind of dish that looks and tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did – perfect for impressing dinner guests or treating yourself after a long day.
Comforting: That creamy sauce is the definition of comfort food, while still feeling a bit sophisticated.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pasta: The foundation of this dish. Choose any shape you like – fettuccine or penne hold the creamy sauce particularly well.
Olive oil and butter: Creates a base with the perfect balance of flavor for sautéing your chicken and aromatics.
Chicken breast: Provides lean protein and becomes tender and flavorful when cooked properly. Cut it into even pieces to ensure consistent cooking.
Shallot: Offers a milder, more refined flavor than regular onions, adding a subtle sweetness to the sauce.
Garlic: The star flavor-builder in this dish. Fresh is absolutely worth it here – pre-minced just doesn’t provide the same punch.
Italian seasoning: A convenient blend of herbs that adds depth without requiring multiple jars of individual herbs.
White wine: Adds acidity and complexity to the sauce. The alcohol cooks off, leaving just the flavor behind.
Heavy cream: Creates that luxurious, velvety sauce that makes this dish utterly irresistible. This is not the place for low-fat substitutes if you want that restaurant-quality result.
Parmesan cheese: Adds savory umami flavor and helps thicken the sauce. Freshly grated melts much better than pre-packaged.
Fresh parsley: Brightens the rich sauce with color and a fresh herbal note.
Salt and pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors together.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Vegetable Additions

Transform this into a complete one-pot meal by adding vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers work beautifully with the creamy sauce.

Alternative Proteins

Not in the mood for chicken? Try using shrimp (which cooks even faster), Italian sausage for a heartier flavor, or omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian version.

Make it Spicy

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce for a pleasant kick.

Herb Variations

Swap the parsley for fresh basil or a combination of fresh herbs like thyme and chives for a different flavor profile.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add a generous amount of salt (the water should taste like the sea), and cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve a couple cups of the starchy pasta water – this is liquid gold for adjusting your sauce later!

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large pan until the butter is melted. Add your chicken pieces, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, and cook until golden on the outside and just cooked through inside, about 5-6 minutes. Season with a bit of salt and pepper as it cooks.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Add the diced shallot to the pan with the chicken and sauté for a minute until it starts to soften. Then add the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds – be careful not to burn it as it will turn bitter!

Step 4: Create the Sauce

Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, then pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. Let it bubble for 1-2 minutes until the alcohol evaporates. Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 1-2 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Add your drained pasta directly to the sauce and toss well to coat every strand. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water – the starch in it helps the sauce cling to the pasta beautifully.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley, stirring until the cheese melts into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately while hot and creamy!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Rinse Your Pasta: After draining, add it directly to the sauce. Rinsing washes away the starch that helps the sauce adhere to the pasta.
Cut Chicken Evenly: Uniform pieces ensure everything cooks at the same rate, preventing some pieces from drying out while others remain undercooked.
Quality Ingredients Matter: Since this recipe has relatively few ingredients, their quality really shines through. Use real Parmesan (not the shelf-stable kind in a green canister) and fresh garlic.
Watch Your Heat: Once the cream goes in, keep the heat at medium-low to prevent it from breaking or reducing too much.
Pasta Water is Your Friend: That starchy liquid helps thin out the sauce if needed without making it watery, and the starch acts as a natural thickener.

How to Serve

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta makes a stunning centerpiece on its own, but there are several ways to round out the meal:

Simple Sides

A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a perfect contrast to the rich pasta. Try arugula with lemon dressing for brightness.

Bread Options

Garlic bread or a crusty baguette is essential for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce!

Wine Pairing

Since you’re already using white wine in the recipe, continue the theme with a glass of the same wine. A Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay complements the creamy sauce beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken considerably when chilled.

Freezing

This dish isn’t ideal for freezing, as cream-based sauces tend to separate when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or as refrigerated leftovers.

Reheating

Warm leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream, milk, or even chicken broth to loosen the sauce as it heats. Microwave reheating works too – cover the dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until warm.

FAQs

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

While heavy cream produces the richest results, you can substitute half-and-half for a lighter version. Regular milk isn’t recommended as it’s too thin and may curdle. If using milk, create a roux first by adding a tablespoon of flour after cooking the garlic, then slowly add the milk to create a stable sauce.
What can I substitute for white wine?

If you don’t have wine or prefer not to use it, substitute chicken broth with a squeeze of lemon juice for acidity. For depth of flavor, add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the broth.
Can I make this with whole wheat pasta?

Absolutely! Whole wheat pasta works great, though it may require slightly more pasta water to loosen the sauce as it tends to absorb more liquid than regular pasta.
How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?

The key is that reserved pasta water! Start with just a splash and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency. Remember that the sauce will continue to thicken as it stands, so it’s better to keep it slightly thinner than you think you want.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is the perfect combination of simplicity and luxury. In less time than it takes to order takeout, you can create a restaurant-worthy meal that will have everyone at your table asking for seconds. The velvety sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a harmony of flavors that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day. Give this recipe a try tonight – your future self will thank you for adding this effortless yet impressive dish to your weeknight rotation!