Creamy, comforting, and packed with goodness! This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a well-balanced dish, loaded with tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and a rich, creamy sauce. Every bite is bursting with garlicky, cheesy flavor—perfect for a cozy dinner that feels indulgent yet light and nourishing.
3/4cupWhite Wine or Chicken StockSauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio
2tspAvocado Oilor olive oil
1tspSea Salt
1/4tspFresh Gound Pepper
1tbspItalian Seasoning, Basil, Parsley, or Oreganodried is fine, or triple if using fresh
1/2cupSlivered Almondsoptional
Red Pepper Flakeoptional
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Instructions
Make sure to have chicken and veggies cut up before starting. Fill stock pot with water (salt if desired), bring to boil for pasta while starting to make dish. Cook pasta to package direction once water is at a boil. Save back several cups of the pasta water. You will need this for the sauce. (A 4-cup measuring cup with handle works great for dipping out the pasta water).
Heat skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tsp oil, add chicken, sprinkle with salt (around 1/2 tsp) cook chicken until no longer pink (6-10 minutes). Remove chicken and liquid (if any) from pan, set aside.
In same pan, over medium high heat add 1 tsp oil, cook broccoli and mushrooms for 3-5 minutes. Add garlic, sprinkle with salt (1/2 tsp). Cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Deglaze pan, add wine or stock scraping the brown flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.
Lower the burner to medium low heat. Add cream cheese in chunks to help melt faster. Add in parmesan cheese. Add in pasta water a 1/2 cup at a time, stirring in between. Keep adding the pasta water until you have a loose sauce. (Probably no more than 1.5 cups, but save the pasta water, just in case you need to add more as it sits).
Add back in chicken and stir. At this point I find it easier and less or a mess to utilize the stock pot to incorporate the pasta. Reserving the needed pasta water, drain pasta and place everything from pan and cooked pasta into the stock pot and stir. Salt to taste.
Serve in pasta bowls. Top with more grated parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley and red pepper flake (if using). Enjoy!
Notes
If you have leftovers, pour a little more pasta water on dish before packing up. As it sits the pasta will suck up the sauce. Or when reheating to enjoy a 2nd time, add a little water from the tap to loosen up the sauce.