Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe with Melt-in Sauce

Cheesy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta represents the ultimate comfort food for hungry souls seeking rich, satisfying flavors.

Creamy textures and bold seasonings change simple ingredients into a magnificent culinary experience.

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delectable solutions that wow hungry families without complicated preparation methods.

Savory cheese melts perfectly around tender chicken pieces, creating irresistible combinations that tantalize taste buds.

Robust garlic undertones elevate this classic dish from ordinary to extraordinary, promising memorable dining moments.

Each forkful delivers complex layers of flavor that dance across your palate with remarkable depth.

Balanced ingredients blend harmoniously, making this recipe an instant crowd-pleaser that will become a household favorite.

Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta to Savor

• Quick Comfort Meal: Combines tender chicken, creamy pasta, and melted cheeses in one delightful dish that hugs your taste buds with warmth and satisfaction.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Simple one-pan preparation method allows even beginner cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques or extensive cooking skills.
• Cheesy Texture Paradise: Layers of mozzarella and Parmesan create an irresistible gooey, stringy cheese experience that transforms an ordinary pasta dish into a decadent culinary adventure.
• Flexible Family Pleaser: Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings, this recipe adapts easily to different preferences and can be prepared quickly with minimal ingredients.

All the Ingredients Needed for Chicken Pasta Bliss

• Pasta, Chicken: Classic combination for a hearty main dish, choose short pasta like penne or rotini for better sauce coating.
• Pasta Water: Helps create perfect sauce consistency and adds starchy richness.

• Alfredo Sauce, Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Creamy base that provides rich flavor and smooth texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melty and sharp cheeses that add depth and create golden, crispy top layer.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor enhancement.

• Cooking Spray or Butter: Prevents sticking and adds subtle richness to the dish.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps retain moisture during baking.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish that adds bright color and fresh herb flavor.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up the oven to 375°F. Softly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter, ensuring every corner is lightly greased.

Step 2: Combine Pasta and Ingredients

• Cooked pasta
• Shredded chicken
• Alfredo sauce
• Garlic parmesan sauce
• Half of the mozzarella cheese
• Half of the Parmesan cheese

Sprinkle in salt and pepper to match your taste preferences.

Step 3: Adjust Pasta Moisture

If the mixture seems dry, pour in about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. This helps create a silky, smooth texture that coats every morsel.

Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish

Spread the creamy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, making sure it’s distributed evenly for consistent flavor in each bite.

Step 5: Add Cheese Topping

Scatter the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across the top, creating a tempting cheese blanket.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a melted, bubbling masterpiece.

Step 7: Create a Golden Crust (Optional)

For an extra-special touch, remove the foil and broil for 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning- you want a golden glow, not a charred disaster.

Step 8: Rest and Garnish

Allow the dish to cool for 5 minutes. If desired, sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve while warm and enjoy the cheesy goodness!

Tips for Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Success

• Pasta Perfection: Reserve some pasta water before draining to help create a silky, creamy sauce that coats every bite.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Grate fresh Parmesan and mozzarella for the most luxurious, smooth cheese topping that melts beautifully.
• Flavor Boost: Sauté minced garlic in butter before mixing it into the sauce to enhance the depth and richness of the dish.
• Even Cooking Trick: Stir the pasta mixture gently to ensure all ingredients are well-distributed and each serving gets maximum flavor.
• Golden Crust Technique: Watch the broiler carefully during the final 2-3 minutes to achieve a perfectly crispy, golden-brown cheese topping without burning.

Storage and Reheat Instructions for Chicken Pasta

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Microwave Reheating: Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent dryness. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer pasta to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle additional cheese on top. Cover with foil and warm for 10-15 minutes, removing foil for the last 2-3 minutes to restore crispy cheese texture.

Pairing Ideas for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Pop Open a Crisp White Wine: A chilled Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio perfectly balances the rich, creamy pasta with its light, refreshing notes and cuts through the cheesy heaviness.
• Serve Alongside Zesty Garlic Bread: Crusty, toasted garlic bread complements the dish's garlic flavor profile and provides a crunchy texture contrast to the soft, cheesy pasta.
• Create a Fresh Green Salad: A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette dresses up the meal, adds nutritional balance, and provides a tangy counterpoint to the creamy chicken pasta.
• Pour a Light Craft Beer: A crisp pilsner or wheat beer helps cleanse the palate between bites and matches well with the rich, cheesy chicken pasta without overwhelming the delicate flavors.

Twists on Classic Cheesy Chicken Pasta

• Veggie Power Boost: Replace chicken with roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for a vegetarian version packed with colorful nutrients and extra texture.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, and swap Alfredo sauce with a spicy chipotle cream sauce to give the pasta a bold, fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives to transform the dish with bright Mediterranean flavors and a tangy profile.
• Seafood Switch: Substitute chicken with sautéed shrimp or flaky white fish like cod, enhancing the pasta with a lighter, ocean-inspired protein option.

Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cheesy garlic parmesan chicken pasta delivers comfort and flavor in one skillet masterpiece. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and al dente pasta create a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies hungry diners with classic Italian-inspired goodness you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) rotini pasta
• 3 cups (approximately 340 grams) cooked chicken, diced or shredded
• 2 (15 ounces/425 grams) jars Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) garlic parmesan sauce

Cheese:

• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Garnish:

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) pasta water (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 375°F and prepare a rectangular baking vessel with a light coating of cooking lubricant.
2. Merge cooked pasta with tender chicken pieces, creating a harmonious blend of creamy Alfredo and zesty garlic parmesan sauces.
3. Incorporate half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses into the mixture, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
4. Introduce a splash of reserved pasta liquid to maintain a luxurious, silky consistency throughout the dish.
5. Carefully transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to create an appetizing layer.
6. Generously crown the surface with remaining cheese varieties, promising a decadent melted topping.
7. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and nestle it into the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling masterpiece.
8. For enthusiasts seeking a golden-brown crust, activate the broiler briefly, keeping a vigilant eye to prevent charring.
9. Allow the dish a brief moment to settle and cool, which helps the flavors meld and the texture to stabilize.
10. Finish with a delicate sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of vibrant color and herbaceous freshness, then serve while still warmly inviting.

Notes

• Save leftover pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, ensuring a creamy and perfectly moistened dish.
• Choose high-quality mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for maximum flavor and rich, melty texture.
• Broiling briefly creates a delectable golden-brown cheese crust that elevates the entire meal’s appearance and taste.
• Cook pasta al dente to prevent becoming mushy during the final baking process, maintaining ideal pasta texture.
• Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish that cuts through the richness of the cheesy pasta.
• Prep and measure ingredients beforehand for a smooth, stress-free cooking experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 742
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1340 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 67 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 48 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg