Description
Creamy, cheesy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Spaghetti with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, ideal for weeknight dinners or family meals.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
For the Spaghetti:
12 ounces spaghetti noodles
4 cups chicken broth or water (for cooking pasta)
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk (or half-and-half for creamier sauce)
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Optional Add-ins:
1 cup fresh spinach or chopped broccoli
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
Cook the Spaghetti: Bring salted water or chicken broth to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente, drain, and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
Prepare Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Whisk in flour for 1 minute. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking to prevent lumps. Cook 3–5 minutes until thickened.
Add Cheese and Seasonings: Reduce heat, stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning. Use reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
Combine Pasta and Chicken: Toss spaghetti and chicken into the sauce. Fold in optional vegetables if using.
Serve: Plate and garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for smooth melting.
- Uniform chicken pieces ensure even cooking.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually to control sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1–1.5 cups per person
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg