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Let me share my ultimate weeknight dinner hero with you! This Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta saved my sanity during busy school nights and has become our family's most requested meal. It's pure comfort in a bowl that somehow feels fancy but comes together in less time than ordering takeout. The creamy garlic sauce will make your kitchen smell like an Italian restaurant!
Why This Recipe Is Gold
I love this recipe because it uses ingredients I always have on hand and takes just 30 minutes from start to finish. My kids literally cheer when they smell the garlic cooking and even my picky eater cleans his plate! Plus it's so flexible you can easily switch things up when you need to.
Let's Gather Our Ingredients
- Good quality chicken breasts I like them pounded nice and even.
- Heavy cream for that luxurious sauce.
- Real Parmesan cheese freshly grated makes all the difference!
- Chicken broth adds so much flavor.
- Just a bit of flour to thicken things up.
- Your favorite pasta shape mine's farfalle.
- Fresh garlic don't skimp here!
- All our yummy seasonings paprika salt pepper and herbs.
- Real butter because we're making something special.
- Good olive oil for getting that chicken golden.
Let's Cook Together
- Start With The Pasta
- Get that water boiling and don't forget to salt it like the sea!
- Season That Chicken
- Mix up our seasoning blend and give those chicken breasts a good coating.
- Golden Brown Perfection
- Let's get that chicken nice and golden then let it finish cooking slowly.
- Sauce Magic
- This is where it gets good! Butter garlic and our creamy sauce coming together.
- Bring It All Home
- Toss everything together adding pasta water if needed until it's perfectly silky.
Keeping It Fresh
If you somehow have leftovers (we rarely do!) pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll stay good for about four days. When reheating just add a little splash of milk to bring back that creamy sauce.
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Make It A Meal
We love serving this with crusty garlic bread for soaking up every last drop of sauce! A simple green salad on the side makes it perfect. Sometimes I'll throw in some steamed broccoli right at the end it's delicious!
Mix It Up
This recipe is so flexible! Sometimes I swap in mushrooms for a meatless Monday version or throw in some shrimp when I'm feeling fancy. Adding some crispy bacon bits on top takes it to a whole new level!
My Best Tips
Here's what I've learned making this countless times: always salt that pasta water don't rush the chicken (a meat thermometer is your friend!) and save some of that starchy pasta water it's liquid gold for getting the perfect sauce consistency!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why pound the chicken?
Pounding chicken helps it cook evenly and more quickly. It also makes the chicken more tender.
- → Why use pasta water?
Pasta water helps thin the sauce if needed and the starch in it helps the sauce cling to the pasta better.
- → Can I make this ahead?
Yes, it's great for meal prep and reheats well. Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- → Why let chicken rest before cutting?
Resting keeps the chicken juicy. Cutting immediately lets the juices escape, making the meat dry.
- → Can I use different pasta shapes?
Yes, any pasta shape works well. Just cook according to package directions for al dente.
Conclusion
A delightful pasta dish that brings together tender chicken, rich parmesan, and a creamy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe offers a quick and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.