Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta
This creamy chicken pasta is rich, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes. Made with tender chicken breast, garlic, and a silky cream sauce, this dish tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant—but it’s easy enough to make at home.
If you’re looking for a quick and comforting dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed hit your whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Creamy, rich, and full of flavor
- Made with simple ingredients
Watch Me Make It!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pasta: Penne or rigatoni works best
- Chicken: Chicken breast (or thighs if preferred)
- Chicken broth: Low sodium for better control
- Olive oil & butter: Adds depth of flavor
- Milk & heavy cream: For a lighter creamy sauce
- Parmesan cheese: Adds richness and depth
- Garlic, onion & spices: Build the flavor
How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta
Step 1
Slice the chicken breast into thinner fillets and pat dry. Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Step 2
Cook the chicken in a pan until fully done and lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
Step 3
In the same pan, add oil and butter. Cook the onion until translucent, then add garlic and spices.
Step 4
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Step 5
Add milk and cream. Once it starts to simmer, return the chicken (with juices) to the pan.
Step 6
Add Parmesan cheese and cooked pasta. Mix well until coated in the sauce.
Step 7
Serve immediately while hot.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Simmer gently to avoid curdling
- Slice chicken thinly for even cooking
- Don’t overcook the chicken—it will continue cooking in the sauce
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for better texture
What to Serve with Creamy Chicken Pasta
Serve this dish with:
- Garlic bread
- Fresh salad
- Grilled vegetables
👉 Or explore my chicken recipes collection for more ideas.
Easy Variations
- Add mushrooms or spinach
- Use shrimp instead of chicken
- Add chili flakes for heat
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes, just remove skin and bones before cooking.
Can I make this without cream?
Yes, use milk and half-and-half or evaporated milk.
How do I keep the chicken tender?
Cook just until done and let it finish in the sauce.
Other Pasta Dishes You Will Enjoy:
Storing and Reheating
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
To reheat:
Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of milk if needed.
⭐ Tried This Recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please give it a ⭐ rating and share your experience in the comments!
The Best Creamy Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 250 gm or three cups pasta
FOR THE CHICKEN SEASONING
- 1 pound or 500gm boneless skinless chicken breast
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
FOR THE SAUCE
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chicken broth should be hot
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. (See notes for extra tips.)
- Slice the chicken breast into thin fillets.
- Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and paprika, then drizzle with olive oil and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet and lightly oil it. Cook the chicken over medium heat for about 4 minutes per side until fully cooked. Remove, cover, and set aside.
- In a large pan, melt the butter with olive oil. Add the onion and cook until translucent, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir briefly to release the flavors.
- Pour in the hot chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the milk and heavy cream, then let it simmer gently.
- Slice the cooked chicken into strips and add it (with juices) to the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Cover and let it sit for 5–7 minutes, then serve.
Notes
- Slice the chicken thinly for even cooking and a more tender texture.
- Don’t overcook the chicken—it will finish cooking in the sauce and stay juicy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, richer sauce.
- Let the sauce simmer gently, not boil, to prevent it from separating.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it.
- For deeper flavor, cook everything in the same pan after the chicken.
- For this recipe, you can also use leftover chicken or Rotisserie Chicken.
Thank you for posting this! Just made this recipe today and it’s absolutely delicious! Recommending it to my sister to cook this week too
Thanks for trying my recipe 😊, I’m happy you liked it!
I am always looking for new recipes for chicken. This is one that my family would enjoy.
Oh wow! I have never thought of making pasta with chicken before! This is unique way to make a pasta. Oh yummy, I must try.
It is a quick and delicious dinner, hope you enjoy it 😊
I absolutely have to try this recipe, it looks amazing!
I appreciate recipe posts like this more now that I have learned to cook.
looks so very delicious! NOMz! Definitely want to eat pasta soon!
It was my recipe for the weekend and did a slightly change….just added some coriander as I like this herb. But it tastes good!
Sounds delicious 😊