One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

This One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is the kind of easy dinner you’ll want on repeat. Juicy, golden-brown chicken, tender rotini, and fresh spinach come together in a rich garlic-parmesan sauce that cooks right in the skillet.

Because the pasta simmers directly in the broth, it absorbs all that garlicky flavor as it cooks, creating a silky, creamy sauce in about 20 minutes.

If you are looking for a few more cozy, family-favorite dinners? Our Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, White Lasagna Soup, Chicken Tortellini Casserole, and Smothered Chicken are always a hit around here.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

• One pan dinner. Everything cooks in the same skillet for easy cleanup.
• Weeknight friendly. Ready in about 20 minutes.
• Creamy and comforting. Garlic, butter, Parmesan, and broth create a silky sauce.
• Family approved. Tender chicken and creamy pasta is always a hit.
• Great leftovers. It reheats the next day beautifully.

Ingredients You’ll Need

(Full measurements are listed in the recipe card below.)

• Chicken breasts – cut into bite-sized pieces
• Garlic and herb seasoning (or Italian seasoning)
• Flour – lightly coats the chicken and helps thicken the sauce
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Butter – adds richness to the sauce
• Rotini or corkscrew pasta – twists hold onto the creamy sauce well
• Chicken broth – the pasta cooks directly in the broth
• Heavy cream – gives the sauce its silky finish
• Parmesan cheese – freshly grated melts best
• Fresh spinach – wilts quickly and adds color
• Pinch of Crushed red pepper

Cetcu Tip: Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning so it browns nicely in the skillet.

Simplified Recipe Directions

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Season the chicken. Toss the cubed chicken with seasoning and flour until evenly coated.
2. Cook the chicken. Heat a large skillet with oil and butter and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
3. Cook the pasta. In the same skillet, melt butter and add the uncooked pasta. Pour in chicken broth and simmer until the pasta is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
4. Make the creamy sauce. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until smooth and melted.
5. Finish the dish. Add spinach and cook just until wilted. Return the chicken to the skillet, sprinkle with crushed red pepper and gently toss to combine.
6. Serve warm with extra Parmesan on top.

Cetcu Tip: Cooking the pasta directly in the skillet lets it absorb the broth and seasonings, which builds incredible flavor in the sauce.

Kitchen Tips

Use chicken tenderloins for easy prep.
Chicken tenderloins are naturally smaller and more uniform, which makes them quicker and easier to cut into bite-size pieces.

Chicken thighs work too.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts if you prefer darker meat. They stay juicy and flavorful in creamy pasta dishes.

Don’t skip drying the chicken.
Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning so it browns nicely in the skillet instead of steaming.

Adjust the sauce if needed.
If the pasta absorbs a little too much liquid while cooking, simply add a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce.

Variations & Substitutions

Add extra garlic.
If you love garlic flavor, stir in a few minced garlic cloves when the butter melts, or add a little garlic powder along with the seasoning.

Add vegetables.
Mushrooms, broccoli, or sun-dried tomatoes are great additions to this creamy pasta.

Use cooked chicken.
Leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken can be stirred in at the end and warmed through in the sauce.

Cetcu Tip: You know how much I love using pulled rotisserie chicken to save time whenever possible, but in this recipe the lightly coated chicken pieces add flavor and texture that make the extra step worth it.

What to Serve with Garlic Chicken Pasta

This creamy pasta is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides.

• Simple Italian Salad
• Garlic Cheese Bread
• BLT Salad
• Roasted Broccoli

A crisp salad or a slice of warm, crusty bread is perfect for balancing the rich, creamy sauce.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce as it warms.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different pasta?

Yes. Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or shells work best because they hold the creamy sauce well.

Can I make this recipe lighter?

You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream if you’d prefer a lighter sauce.

Can I freeze this pasta?

Cream-based pasta sauces can separate after freezing, so this dish is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes

If you’re looking for more comforting chicken dinners, you might also enjoy:

• Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
• Chicken Tortellini Casserole
• Smothered Chicken
• White Lasagna Soup

One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

Yield: 4 servings
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner made with juicy seasoned chicken, tender rotini, fresh spinach, and a rich garlic parmesan sauce. Everything cooks together in one skillet for a comforting meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breasts cut into cubes
• 1½ tablespoons garlic and herb seasoning blend (or Italian Seasoning blend)
• 2-3 tablespoons of flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 5-6 tablespoons butter, divided
• ½ pound garden rotini (or corkscrew pasta)
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup shredded parmesan, + extra for topping
• 1-2 cups fresh spinach
• Pinch of crushed red pepper

Instructions

1. Add the chicken pieces to a medium bowl and season generously with a garlic and herb seasoning. Sprinkle with flour and toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add butter (or avocado oil). Once melted, add the chicken and cook 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same skillet add remaining 3-4 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted add the uncooked pasta and toss until it’s covered in butter. 
4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (about 9 minutes).
5. Reduce the heat slightly, then stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until smooth and melted.
6. Add the spinach and stir just until wilted. Return the chicken to the skillet, sprinkle with crushed red pepper and extra Parmesan, and gently stir until everything is well combined.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!

Can easily be doubled

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 534
Total Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 140mg
Sodium: 2755mg
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g
Protein: 52g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.