This creamy chicken pasta recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner. It is loaded with chicken in a creamy sauce and is quick and easy to make. Serve with garlic bread and a salad for an easy meal.

Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe

I love fast and easy dinner recipes, and this creamy chicken pasta is one of my go-tos when I need a fast dinner that everyone will enjoy. With tender chunks of chicken, pasta with a creamy, flavorful sauce, this chicken pasta recipe is always enjoyed. If I want to have leftovers, I double the recipe because everyone loves it so much.

Pasta is always a go to in my house when things are busy, everyone in the house loves pasta and so many pasta dishes are quick and easy to make.

If you are looking for a pasta with chicken recipe that the whole family will love, this easy chicken pasta recipe is perfect!

Pasta Recipes

A skillet filled with creamy penne pasta and chicken pieces, garnished with chopped parsley.

Tips for Making this Recipe

Do not overcook the penne pasta. Cooking al dente helps maintain a satisfying texture with the creamy sauce.

Save some of that pasta water. It works magic by making the sauce stick nicely to the pasta. Adjust how much you use based on how thick you want your sauce to be.

Make the sauce thicker. If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer. Add a bit more pasta water or chicken broth for a lighter consistency.

Use fresh Parmesan. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.

Do not bring the sauce to a boil. When you are making it, you want it to simmer but not boil.

A bowl of creamy penne pasta with chunks of chicken, garnished with chopped parsley, sits on a table next to a pan and another bowl of the same dish.

What are some Substitutions for this recipe?

Chicken Breast. You could also use boneless, skinless thighs cubed, or turkey breast.

Change up the oil. Avocado oil and grapeseed oil are both good high-heat oils.

You can change up the kind of pasta. For this, I used Penne pasta; you can also use small rigatoni, bowties, or shells, which would all be good alternatives. If you prefer linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccini noodles, you can also use those over small pasta shapes.

Garlic minced. You can use jarred minced garlic or fresh minced garlic. If you go fresh, you will need six cloves.

Change out the Heavy cream. Use half-and-half for a lighter version, which may result in a less creamy sauce. Heavy cream provides a richer texture.

Change up the seasonings. You can use Italian seasoning in place of the oregano and dried basil in this recipe.

Add veggies. You can add vegetables; chopped zucchini, squash, sun-dried tomatoes, and mushrooms are all great options.

A bowl of penne pasta with creamy sauce and pieces of chicken, garnished with chopped herbs, sits on a white surface next to a fork and cloth napkin.

Can I add vegetables to the dish?

If you want to add vegetables like sliced bell pepper, onion, spinach, or peas to the dish, you most definitely can. If you add spinach, wait until the end when stirring everything together, as spinach wilts relatively fast. That would also be a good time for the peas (if they are not frozen), as they will not take long to heat. If you want your bell pepper or onion to be crisp, still add it at the end, but if you would like to cook it down some more, add it when cooking the chicken.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yep! You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it separately. Reheat and combine with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! If you have pre-cooked chicken, toss it in during the sauce-making stage. It is a time-saver and adds extra flavor.

How can I add a level of heat to the dish?

To add some heat and spice to the dish, you can add red pepper flakes, fresh jalapenos, or pickled ones.

A bowl of creamy penne pasta with chicken pieces, garnished with chopped parsley, sits on a white surface next to a fork and a small dish of herbs.

What are some other things I could serve with this dish?

Though this dish is great all on its own, it can be paired with a crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing to contrast against the creaminess of the dish and Garlic bread.

What is “Al Dente” for when I cook pasta?

You want your pasta to be cooked to a slightly chewy and firm texture. It should not be overdone, or it will become mushy, and it should not be undercooked, making it crunchy. Al Dente is the texture between done and undercooked.

How can I store this creamy chicken pasta?

Let any leftover pasta cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Transfer the pasta leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days. I do not recommend freezing this dish since it may change the texture of the pasta.

How do I reheat Leftovers?

Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Or microwave for 3 – 5 minutes in a microwave-safe bowl. Add some cream or broth as needed to keep the sauce from becoming too thick.

Creamy Chicken Pasta Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano (divided)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound uncooked dry penne pasta or other pasta of choice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
2 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth / cooked pasta water
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta

Cut 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Toss the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and half of the dried oregano. Ensure the chicken is evenly coated.

A bowl of raw, diced chicken seasoned with salt and pepper, with a spatula in the bowl. A small bowl of olive oil and a tray of salt and pepper are nearby.

Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken cubes and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Set the cooked chicken aside on a separate plate.

Diced, seasoned chicken pieces cooking in a black frying pan on a white surface, with salt and pepper in a small wooden dish nearby.

Boil a large pot of water with salt, and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Melt two tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat in the same skillet used for the chicken. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

A skillet filled with creamy sauce and herbs sits on a white surface, with a bowl of cooked chicken pieces and a dish of salt and pepper nearby.

Stir in dried basil and the remaining half of the dried oregano.

Pour in 2 cups of heavy cream, chicken broth or reserved pasta water, stirring continuously to combine with the garlic and herbs. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Stir in parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy consistency.

A skillet containing cooked penne pasta and seasoned diced chicken pieces, separated, on a white surface.

Toss the cooked penne pasta and cooked chicken into the skillet, making sure everything is coated in the creamy sauce. Remove from the heat and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the creamy chicken pasta.

A skillet filled with penne pasta and chicken in a light sauce, garnished with chopped parsley, sits on a white surface with bowls of parsley and pepper nearby.

Optionally, add extra Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy your delightful, creamy chicken pasta!

Easy Chicken Recipes