Creamy chicken pasta is a rich and creamy pasta dish that's a snap to make! This simple but decadent chicken pasta only takes about 30 minutes to whip up.

5 from 1 vote

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Creamy chicken pasta is a rich and creamy pasta dish that's a snap to make! This simple but decadent chicken pasta only takes about 30 minutes to whip up.

Craving easy comfort food? Creamy chicken pasta is a perfect choice!

This pasta dish combines tender chicken with a rich and creamy sauce, all in about 30 minutes. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that's sure to please!

Ingredients for creamy chicken pasta in dishes.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Penne pasta: You can substitute fusilli, rigatoni, or any preferred shape of pasta. The key is to use a pasta shape that holds sauce well.
Heavy Cream: Use half-and-half, or a mixture of milk with a tablespoon of flour for thickening. For non-dairy, try coconut milk or cashew cream.
Parmesan Cheese: Use Asiago, Pecorino Romano, or even nutritional yeast for a different option.
Italian Seasoning: Make your own blend with dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

How to make creamy chicken pasta

Here you'll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.

Step 1: Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente.

Step 2: Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Onion sautéing in olive oil in a skillet.

Step 3: Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and onion in a skillet.

Step 4: Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 1 minutes, stirring the entire time.

Step 5: Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

Step 6: Let it simmer until reduced by half, about 2-3 minutes.

Heavy cream pouring on top of parmesan cheese in a skillet.

Step 7: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and butter.

Step 8: Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.

Diced cooked chicken on top of cream sauce.

Step 9: Add the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, tossing to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce. Remove from heat.

Cooked penne pasta on top of chicken cream sauce.

Step 10: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce.

Step 11: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Close up photo of creamy chicken pasta in a skillet.

Recipe tips

Vegetables: Adding vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes can enhance the flavor and nutritional value. Add them when you sauté the onions to integrate them into the dish.
Make ahead: You can prepare the sauce in advance and refrigerate it. Reheat it on the stove over low heat, adding a little extra cream or broth to loosen it up if necessary.

A white dish of creamy chicken pasta next to garlic bulbs.

Serving suggestions

I like to serve this dish with either a fresh green salad or sauteed or steamed greens to help lighten up the meal.

You can also serve it with garlic bread to soak up the sauce.

A white bowl of creamy chicken pasta next to a second dish of pasta.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta will keep for up to 3 days when properly stored in the fridge.

Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth, heavy cream, or water to keep the pasta moist and the sauce creamy.

More pasta recipes!

If you’ve tried this creamy chicken pasta recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

You can subscribe to receive my latest recipe newsletters or follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for even more delicious food.