This healthy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is a 30-minute dinner made with juicy chicken, al dente pasta, and a light, creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce — perfect for weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Ingredients
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2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
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2 tbsp olive oil, divided
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2–3 garlic cloves, minced
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8 oz whole wheat penne (or pasta of choice)
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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Salt and pepper to taste
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¾ cup milk or ½ cup chicken broth
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¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan
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1 cup baby spinach (optional)
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¼ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
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Optional: red pepper flakes, parsley, lemon wedges
Instructions
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Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
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Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet. Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
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Cook chicken 5–6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
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Add remaining oil and sauté garlic 30–60 seconds.
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Stir in milk or broth and bring to a simmer. Add Parmesan and whisk until smooth.
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Return chicken and pasta to pan. Toss to coat. Add pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
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Stir in spinach (if using) until wilted. Adjust seasoning to taste.
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Serve hot with extra cheese and parsley.