Description

Creamy, cheesy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Spaghetti with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, ideal for weeknight dinners or family meals.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Cheesy Spaghetti, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Chicken Parmesan Pasta