Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a rich and comforting dish that perfectly combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious garlic-infused cream sauce. Paired with silky Parmesan-coated spaghetti, this recipe makes for an impressive yet easy-to-make dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente—tender but still with a slight bite. Before draining, scoop out about ½ cup of pasta water and set it aside. Then drain the pasta and let it rest while you prepare the sauce.
2. Step 2: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help them brown beautifully. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning, pressing the seasoning in gently so it sticks.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and let it cook undisturbed for 5–6 minutes per side, until a deep golden crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic brown.
5. Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir gently and let simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Add the Parmesan cheese, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet. Toss gently until every strand is coated in the garlic Parmesan sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up for perfect cling.
7. Step 7: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over the top. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor results.
• Swap spaghetti for fettuccine or penne to change up the pasta texture.
• Add sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed spinach to the sauce for a Tuscan twist.
• Reduce red pepper flakes or omit them entirely if you prefer a milder dish.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much. Avoid microwaving at high heat to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and remain juicy. Adjust cooking time as thighs may take slightly longer to reach the proper internal temperature.

Is there a dairy-free alternative for this recipe?

You can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast. The sauce will have a different flavor but remain creamy and delicious.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe

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Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts in a luscious garlic Parmesan cream sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. The sauce is enriched with garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese, with a subtle hint of Italian herbs and optional red pepper flakes for a gentle kick. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner with a rich, creamy texture and classic Italian-inspired flavors.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta:

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente — tender but still with a slight bite. Before draining, scoop out about ½ cup of pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and let it rest while you prepare the sauce.
2. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure they brown beautifully. Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Press the seasoning in gently so it sticks well.
3. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook undisturbed for 5–6 minutes per side, aiming for a deep golden crust and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Build the Garlic Butter Base: Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds until the garlic is soft and aromatic, being careful not to let it brown.
5. Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir gently and let simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Add Parmesan cheese, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and coats the back of a spoon.
6. Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet. Toss gently to coat every strand with the garlic Parmesan sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up and help it cling to the pasta.
7. Bring It All Together: Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon creamy sauce over the chicken and let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly more.

Notes

• Patting the chicken dry before seasoning ensures a better sear and crust.
• Reserve pasta water before draining as the starch helps to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
• Be careful not to burn garlic when making the butter base; it should be soft and fragrant.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth melting in the sauce.
• You can adjust the red pepper flakes or omit them entirely depending on your spice preference.
• This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Garlic Parmesan Pasta, Italian chicken recipe, One-pan chicken dinner, Creamy chicken pasta