Garlic Herb Chicken Pasta
A quick and easy Garlic Herb Chicken Pasta with tender chicken, aromatic garlic and fresh herbs, tossed in a creamy sauce with perfectly cooked pasta. This comforting yet light dish is ideal for busy weeknights and can be customized to suit various dietary preferences.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta used)
Chicken and Protein
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces
Herbs and Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 2 tbsp mixed fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, basil), chopped
Cooking Essentials
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the boneless chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta (fettuccine or penne) according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve a small cup of pasta water for the sauce.
- Make the Garlic Herb Sauce: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, roughly 1-2 minutes. Pour in the cream and add chopped fresh herbs. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, letting the flavors meld and thicken slightly. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, adjusting the consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Combine and Finish: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, tossing it with the creamy herb sauce. Then, add the drained pasta and gently combine everything until well coated and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact.
- Don’t overcook chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for smoother melting and better texture.
- Maintain medium heat to avoid curdling the cream sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: garlic herb chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick chicken dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, creamy herb sauce