Pasta night at my house is sacred, but sometimes juggling a pot of water, a sauce pan, and a skillet feels like a three-ring circus! We all crave that cozy, familiar taste of creamy pasta, but we don’t always have the energy for all the dishes that usually follow. That’s why I perfected this Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet—it’s the ultimate all-in-one comfort meal. This recipe was born out of those evenings when I needed something hearty and satisfying that smelled amazing as it cooked, but wouldn’t leave me scrubbing pots until bedtime. It truly is the best way to get that rich flavor with minimal cleanup, making it a staple for any busy family.
Sophia Reed is a Family Cooking Specialist at Sena Recipes. Raised in Texas among potlucks, weeknight casseroles, and shared family meals, she brings warmth and approachability to every recipe she develops. Since joining Sena Recipes in 2021, Sophia has focused on creating dependable, family-friendly dishes that honor tradition while fitting into modern life. Her recipes are designed to be comforting, practical, and easy to share. When she’s not cooking, Sophia enjoys hosting community dinners, visiting local farmers’ markets, and creating new food memories with her children.
Why You Will Love This Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
This dish is just pure weeknight magic, and honestly, I think you’ll make it again and again. It hits that sweet spot of being incredibly flavorful while keeping your sink mostly empty! It’s the definition of comforting food ready fast.
- The cleanup is practically non-existent—everything cooks right in one big skillet!
- It tastes like you spent hours on it, but it comes together so quickly for a great option when you need easy family dinner recipes.
- That creamy garlic sauce clings beautifully to the penne and the tender chicken pieces. It’s real comfort food!
Essential Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
When we talk about simple chicken recipes, the success really comes down to the quality and preparation of a few core items. You don’t need a huge grocery run for this; the magic is in the fundamentals! Every item listed here plays a specific role in building that incredible, savory sauce we are aiming for. Make sure you have your chicken breasts butterflied—that makes all the difference in quick cooking time.
For a dish this rich, I always shop smart, which is why this fits into even tighter budgets for quick dinner ideas. We need 12 ounces of penne pasta to start the base, and of course, a good pound or so of chicken breast, ready to be seasoned and pan-seared. Don’t skimp on the garlic; we need a full six cloves, and we aren’t chopping them, we are keeping them whole to infuse the oil gently!
The richness comes from the combination of low-sodium chicken broth and a cup of half and half or heavy cream, which needs to be warmed slightly before it goes into the pan. I always finish this with freshly chopped rosemary for that warm herbal note, and, naturally, plenty of Parmesan cheese for serving. Trust me, these specific ingredients are worth grabbing!
Equipment Needed for Your Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
Since we are aiming for minimal dishes here, you won’t need a mountain of tools! This is one of the joys of a true one-pan meal, although we do need one pot for the pasta itself. For the skillet work, grab your biggest, sturdiest one—it needs to hold the chicken, the sauce, and the pasta all together at the end so you can toss everything nicely.
You’ll want the following basics:
- A large pot for boiling your penne.
- Your trusty large skillet for cooking the chicken and building the sauce base.
- A sturdy cutting board where you’ll slice the chicken after resting.
- A wooden spatula is perfect for scraping up those amazing browned bits from the bottom later on!
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
Okay, this is where we start cooking for real! We are building layers of flavor here, so try not to rush the cooking times, especially when we get that chicken browned. Remember, every little browned bit we scrape up later is pure gold for our sauce. If you follow these steps, you’ll end up with the dreamiest sauce coating every piece of chicken and pasta. This whole process moves pretty fast once you get rolling!
Preparing the Pasta and Chicken
First things first: get a big pot of water boiling and cook your penne right according to the box. This is super important—don’t overcook it! Once done, drain it, but make sure you save about half a cup of that starchy pasta water; we’ll need that later to make the sauce coat everything perfectly. While that cooks, take your chicken breasts and butterfly them so you have four thinner pieces total. Pat them bone-dry with a paper towel, which helps them sear beautifully, and season both sides well with salt and pepper.
Searing the Chicken for the Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
Get your skillet hot over medium-high heat. Add your tablespoon of oil and your first tablespoon of butter. Once that butter melts and looks shimmery, lay the chicken pieces in there. Now, here’s the patience part: let them sit undisturbed for a full 4 to 5 minutes until they get a gorgeous golden-brown crust! Flip them carefully and cook for only 3 to 4 more minutes until they hit 165F inside. You want them cooked perfectly, so pull them out onto a clean board to rest.
Building the Rich Garlic Sauce Base
Turn the heat down to medium—we don’t want burnt garlic! Add your last tablespoon of butter to the hot pan, quickly toss in those six whole garlic cloves, and let them sizzle for just 2 to 3 minutes until they start turning lovely and golden. Don’t let them go black, or the whole sauce will taste bitter! Sprinkle in your fresh rosemary—it wakes right up in that heat! Then, pour in that cup of chicken broth. Grab your wooden spatula and scrape up every single browned bit stuck to the bottom of the pan. That’s the foundation of flavor for our healthy chicken recipes!
Finishing and Combining the Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
Next, pour in that warmed cream, stir it all up, and let it come to a gentle simmer. We need that sauce to reduce and thicken a touch, so let it bubble softly for about four minutes. While that happens, take your rested chicken and slice it diagonally into nice, rustic pieces. Add the sliced chicken right back to the sauce and let it simmer low for five minutes just to soak up those garlicky, herby flavors. Finally, dump in all your cooked pasta and toss everything until that divine sauce coats every piece! If it seems too thick, splash in a little of that reserved pasta water, tossing constantly until your skillet looks like the creamiest dinner you’ve ever made.
Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet Results
Getting this dish right comes down to a few tiny, non-negotiable steps that really elevate it from good to “please make that again soon!” First, don’t even think about using that powdery, shelf-stable Parmesan cheese here. Get the real stuff, the hard block, and grate it fresh only right before serving; it melts so much better and tastes sharper.
When you sear the chicken, I mean it—don’t overcrowd the pan! If you squeeze too many pieces in at once, the temperature drops, and instead of getting that beautiful brown crust, you end up steaming your chicken. That crust is where so much of the flavor comes from! Also, remember that reserved pasta water we talked about? It’s not optional; that starchy liquid is what helps the sauce grab onto the pasta and chicken, making it that perfect consistency for our healthy chicken recipes.
And one last little trick I learned testing sauces: always warm the cream before you add it to the hot skillet. Dumping cold cream into a simmering broth can shock the sauce and make it curdle or seize up on you. Just a quick minute in the microwave does the job!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
The recipe is pretty sturdy, but sometimes we need to pivot based on what we have in the pantry, right? If you didn’t manage to grab fresh rosemary, don’t stress out! You can absolutely use about a quarter teaspoon of dried rosemary. Just toast it for a quick second with the garlic—any longer and dried herbs can get bitter.
If you are trying to keep things lighter or maybe you just ran out of heavy cream while aiming for those healthy dinner ideas, I have a good trick. You can use whole milk or even 2% milk instead of the heavy cream, but you MUST thicken it up. Whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch into the cold milk *before* you warm it up. This prevents it from thinning out too much when it hits the hot broth, keeping that creamy sauce texture we love.
Serving Suggestions for Your Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
Since this skillet meal is so rich and hearty, it really stands well on its own—it’s a fantastic complete dinner. But if you want to add a little something fresh to balance out all that creamy garlic goodness, I suggest keeping the sides simple so they don’t compete with the pasta.
A big, bright green salad tossed with a sharp vinaigrette is perfect for cutting through the richness. You could also steam up some crisp broccoli or asparagus. If you want to lean into the cozy comfort, my maple Brussels sprouts are a wonderful, slightly sweet counterpoint to all that savory garlic. It really pulls together a lovely spread of simple chicken recipes!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
I always hope there are leftovers because this Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet tastes almost better the next day! Stash any extras right away in an airtight container—don’t leave it sitting on the counter, that thick sauce can spoil fast. It’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about three days max.
When you’re ready to reheat, remember that the sauce will tighten up significantly as it cools. Don’t just blast it in the microwave! Instead, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat. You absolutely must add a splash of extra broth or milk while stirring constantly to bring that creamy texture right back. It’s like magic, and you’re ready for another easy delicious dinner!
Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
I know everyone has a slightly different kitchen setup or dietary need, so let’s tackle a few burning questions about adapting this cozy meal. It’s built to be flexible, just like a good family recipe should be! We want comfort food that fits your life, not the other way around.
Can I use rotisserie chicken in this Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet?
Oh my gosh, yes! This is one of my favorite shortcuts when I need super quick dinner ideas. If you use a store-bought rotisserie chicken, you completely skip steps 2 and 3, where we butterfly and sear. Just shred or dice the meat, skip the searing steps entirely, and add the cooked chicken right in with the broth and cream during the simmering stage. It’s fantastic for those truly lazy dinners!
How can I make this a healthier dinner recipe?
It’s already a pretty solid dish, but if you want to push it further toward healthy dinner recipes, you have options. I already suggest low-sodium broth, but for the cream, try substituting half-and-half or using skim milk thickened with cornstarch (like I mentioned before). You could also easily swap the penne for whole wheat pasta, or even brown rice pasta if you have dietary concerns. It might change the texture slightly, but it’s still going to taste amazing!
What pasta works best besides penne for this skillet meal?
Penne is great because those hollow tubes trap the creamy sauce inside, but honestly, any short pasta shape that sucks up the sauce well works wonderfully. Rotini or fusilli, with all their twists and turns, are amazing carriers for the garlic sauce. Rigatoni is also a winner—it’s sturdy enough to handle all that stirring in the skillet without breaking down. Just follow the package directions for cooking time!
Sharing Your Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet Creation
Now that your kitchen smells like the coziest dinner imaginable, I just have one favor to ask: come back and tell me how it went! If you made this Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet, please leave a quick rating and tell me your family’s favorite part in the comments below. We love hearing how these simple, comforting meals help bring your family to the table!
If you need to reach out with a question or just want to say hello, you can always connect with us here at Sena Recipes. Happy cooking, friend!
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Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make this hearty, all-in-one skillet meal featuring tender chicken and pasta coated in a rich, creamy garlic sauce. It is a simple, comforting dinner.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 large chicken breasts (1 – 1.5lbs total), butterflied lengthwise into 4 pieces
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, whole
- ½ teaspoon fresh finely chopped rosemary
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream, warmed
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook penne pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set it aside.
- Butterfly the chicken breasts and cut them into four pieces. Pat them dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter melts, place the chicken pieces in the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on the first side without moving them. Flip the chicken and cook for 3 to 4 additional minutes on the other side, until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Remove the chicken from the pan onto a board and set it aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the pan. Add the whole garlic cloves and sauté them for about 2 to 3 minutes, moving them to toast them to a golden color without burning.
- Add the rosemary to the pan and toast it for about 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken broth or stock. As it simmers, use a wooden spatula to scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the warmed cream to the pan, stir, and bring it to a simmer. Cook the sauce down for about 4 minutes.
- While the sauce simmers, slice the cooked chicken breasts diagonally.
- Add the sliced chicken to the sauce, reduce the heat to low, and simmer it in the sauce for 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss to combine. Slowly add ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water, and toss to combine. Add more pasta water if you need to thin out the sauce.
- Serve the creamy garlic chicken pasta sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary or poultry seasoning instead of fresh rosemary.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 150
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta-Style Skillet, Simple Chicken Recipes, Chicken Breast Dinner Ideas, Quick Dinner Ideas, Healthy Chicken Recipes, Lazy Dinners, Rotisserie Chicken Recipes, One Pan Meal