If you’re looking for a comforting meal that’s easy enough for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for guests, this Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe is the perfect choice. Tender pan-seared chicken, a silky Parmesan cream sauce, fragrant rosemary, and fresh lemon come together to create a rich and satisfying pasta dish that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, creamy, and full of flavor.
- Ready in around 30 minutes.
- Perfect for weeknight family dinners.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients.
- Fresh rosemary and lemon add brightness to the creamy sauce.
- Easy to customize with your favorite pasta shapes.
Ingredients
- 200 g dried pasta or 300 g fresh pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 50 g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Salt, to taste
- Lemon zest, for garnish
- Extra rosemary, for garnish
- Extra Parmesan, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just under al dente, about one minute less than the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Place the chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound it until it is an even 1–1.5 cm thickness.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper, then lightly coat the chicken with flour.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for about 2 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove, loosely cover with foil, and let it rest.
- Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pan.
- Add the garlic and cook gently for about 1 minute without browning.
- Stir in the rosemary and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese in several batches, stirring until completely melted before adding more.
- Stir in the black pepper and lemon juice.
- Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Let everything cook together for another minute.
- Slice the rested chicken.
- Serve the Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe topped with sliced chicken, fresh rosemary, lemon zest, and additional Parmesan if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- Reserve extra pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Freshly grate Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
- Avoid boiling the cream to prevent splitting.
- Substitute rosemary with thyme or parsley if preferred.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or peas for extra vegetables.
- Use chicken thighs for even juicier meat.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Nut-free, halal-friendly
Notes
- Penne, fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti all work beautifully.
- Fresh pasta cooks faster than dried pasta.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for gentle heat.
- Serve with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 690
- Protein: 38 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fat: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
FAQ
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream.
What is the best pasta for creamy chicken pasta?
Fettuccine, linguine, penne, and rigatoni all hold the creamy sauce very well.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay tender and flavorful.
Can I freeze creamy chicken pasta?
Yes, although cream sauces may separate slightly after thawing. Stir well while reheating for the best texture.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, peas, and asparagus all pair well with this dish.
Storage
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream, milk, or reserved pasta water.
Similar Recipes
Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe with juicy pan-seared chicken, Parmesan cream sauce, garlic, rosemary, and fresh lemon. Ready in 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 200 g dried pasta or 300 g fresh pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves roughly chopped
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 50 g Parmesan cheese finely grated
- Salt to taste
- Lemon zest for garnish
- Extra rosemary for garnish
- Extra Parmesan optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just under al dente, about one minute less than the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Place the chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound it until it is an even 1–1.5 cm thickness.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper, then lightly coat the chicken with flour.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for about 2 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove, loosely cover with foil, and let it rest.
- Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pan.
- Add the garlic and cook gently for about 1 minute without browning.
- Stir in the rosemary and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese in several batches, stirring until completely melted before adding more.
- Stir in the black pepper and lemon juice.
- Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Let everything cook together for another minute.
- Slice the rested chicken.
- Serve the Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe topped with sliced chicken, fresh rosemary, lemon zest, and additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Penne, fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti all work beautifully.
- Fresh pasta cooks faster than dried pasta.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for gentle heat.
- Serve with garlic bread or a crisp green salad
Conclusion
This Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe combines tender chicken, a velvety Parmesan cream sauce, aromatic rosemary, and bright lemon into a meal that’s both comforting and elegant. Whether you’re preparing a quick family dinner or serving guests, this recipe delivers rich flavor with minimal effort and is sure to become a regular favorite