Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Spaghetti is a comforting weeknight dinner made with juicy seared chicken, a velvety garlic parmesan cream sauce, and tender spaghetti tossed with melty mozzarella. This easy stovetop chicken pasta is rich, cheesy, and ready in under 45 minutes. Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken, cheesy spaghetti, chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, stovetop.
Ingredients
4 small chicken breasts
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
10 ounces spaghetti
1 cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Season the chicken on both sides with the salt and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through to 165°F, then transfer to a plate and tent loosely.
3. Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter to the same skillet, and sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in the heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, and whisk in the parmesan a little at a time until smooth and slightly thickened.
5. Meanwhile, boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
6. Whisk 1/4 to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water into the cream sauce to reach a silky, spoon-coating consistency.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the tops; let it simmer on low for 2 minutes.
8. Toss the hot spaghetti with the mozzarella until melted and creamy, then plate with the chicken and ladle on extra sauce.
9. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan so the sauce melts smoothly without clumps.
Salt your pasta water generously; it’s the fastest way to season the spaghetti from the inside out.
If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a splash more pasta water or milk until it loosens.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast + ~1.5 cups cheesy spaghetti
- Calories: 930
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg