35 Min Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Meal Prep

Ugh, is there anything worse than that 5:30 PM panic when you realize you have to cook a delicious, satisfying dinner from scratch? I used to dread those nights—I wanted maximum flavor without spending an hour over the stove. That’s exactly why I perfected this recipe! Seriously, if you are looking for a flavor bomb that actually helps you win at life during a busy week, you have to try my Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep).

This isn’t just pasta; it’s your weeknight sanity saver, all cooked up in one pan. I make a huge batch on Sunday, and honestly, knowing I have lunches or super quick dinners ready to go makes my whole week feel lighter. Trust me, this creamy garlic pasta hits all the right notes!

Why This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep) Works for You

You know I’m all about making real wellness habits fit your life, and that means zero drama in the kitchen! This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep) is built for speed and flavor.

It’s a winner because:

• It’s truly a one-pan wonder, which means cleanup is ridiculously fast.
• The garlic parmesan sauce is ultra-rich, hitting that comfort food spot without feeling heavy.
• It holds up beautifully for batch cooking. Seriously, the flavor deepens overnight!
• You go from raw ingredients to a full Chicken Dinner in under 35 minutes. Who has time for more?

It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together, even if you’re juggling a million things. That, my friends, is clean living!

Gathering Ingredients for Your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep)

Before we start mixing up this glorious Garlic Parmesan Sauce, let’s talk ingredients. This recipe is so simple, which means the quality of what you use really shines through! You don’t need a million things, but you do need the right things, especially when it comes to that cheese.

And here’s my big secret right upfront: Please, please, please grate your own Parmesan cheese! The pre-shredded stuff has anti-caking agents that stop it from melting smoothly. If you want that perfectly velvety texture in your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep), you need the real deal, finely grated. Use the smallest holes on your box grater—it makes the biggest difference.

Essential Components for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep)

Here is exactly what you need to pull together this amazing Chicken Dinner:

• 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil (for the chicken)
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, butterflied or beaten down to about ½” thickness
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp avocado oil (for the sauce base)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ jumbo yellow onion diced (that’s about 1 cup)
• 4-6 large cloves garlic, minced (yes, use a lot of garlic!)
• 8 oz dry penne pasta (feel free to use regular, gluten-free, or protein pasta)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (Remember the grating tip!)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for finishing

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep)

Okay, let’s actually cook this thing! Since this is one of my favorite one-pan dinners, things move fast, so have your ingredients ready to go. Timing is everything when you’re aiming for that perfect consistency in your Garlic Parmesan Sauce.

Preparing and Cooking the Chicken

First up, we season that chicken! Grab a small bowl and mix up the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat your chicken breasts really dry—this helps the seasoning stick and gives you a better sear. Rub that seasoning blend all over both sides. Now, get a large pan over medium heat and add the first tablespoon of avocado oil. When the oil shimmers, lay in your seasoned chicken. Cook for about three to five minutes on each side until you hit that safe internal temperature of 165F. Don’t skip the next step: remove the chicken and let it rest on a cutting board! Resting the meat is non-negotiable if you want it juicy later.

Building the Creamy Garlic Pasta Base

Once the chicken is resting, drop the heat down to medium-low. This is where the magic starts! Add that last bit of oil and the butter. Once the butter melts, toss in your diced onion and sprinkle it with a little salt. Let those soften for about three minutes until they look a little clear and cozy. Now, hit it with all that minced garlic and stir for just one more minute. Stop when you can really smell that garlic aroma—but don’t let it brown or it gets bitter!

Here’s your expert tip for depth of flavor: Pour in the chicken broth and immediately start scraping up all those lovely caramelized bits stuck on the bottom of the pan. That brown stuff is pure flavor for your Creamy Garlic Pasta! Let that broth simmer lightly.

Finishing the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep)

Add your dry penne pasta right into the boiling broth. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is submerged. Cover the pan and let it cook for about 10 minutes, checking until the pasta is tender but still firm—that’s al dente. When the pasta is done, turn the heat completely OFF. Seriously, turn it off! Now, whisk in the Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and chopped parsley. Stir until everything melts together and the sauce thickens just slightly. Taste it now and adjust salt and pepper if you need to before you slice your rested chicken into strips and toss it all together. Perfect!

Tips for Ultimate Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep) Success

Even though this is my favorite Chicken Dinner recipe, there are always little things you can tweak to make it absolutely perfect, especially if you’re portioning it out for later!

When it comes to pasta shape, I stuck with penne because those ridges grab onto the sauce beautifully, but rigatoni or even rotini works like a charm. If you’re making this for the freezer later, know that the sauce might seize up a tiny bit when reheating. My solution? When stirring in the cream and cheese at the end, I always add just an extra splash of broth—maybe two tablespoons extra—knowing that some liquid will absorb overnight.

I learned this the hard way! The first couple of times I made my Creamy Garlic Pasta for meal prep, it was a little too tight on day three. Now, I slightly—and I mean slightly—over-sauce it before cooling. This little trick keeps the pasta from getting dry when you microwave it later. Easy adjustments make all the difference between a good meal prep and a *great* one!

Ingredient Swaps for Your Creamy Garlic Pasta

We all run out of things mid-week, right? That’s why flexibility is key when trying to stick to your healthy habits, even with a comfort recipe like Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep). I want you to succeed, even if you’re missing one thing!

If you’re out of heavy cream? Don’t panic! You can use evaporated milk or even whole milk mixed with a teaspoon of cornstarch to help it thicken up again. It won’t be quite as luxurious, but it works in a pinch for that Garlic Parmesan Sauce.

As for the chicken, boneless, skinless thighs work beautifully too. They have a little more fat, so they stay incredibly tender! Just make sure to slice them thinly so they cook evenly and quickly, keeping your total cook time down for this amazing Chicken Dinner.

Serving Suggestions for This Chicken Dinner

Because this Garlic Parmesan Sauce is so rich and comforting, you definitely want to balance it out with something a little bright and fresh. It keeps the whole Family Meal feeling nourishing instead of heavy!

My go-to suggestion is always steamed or lightly roasted broccoli—the little trees catch all that extra sauce perfectly. If you want something crisp, a super simple side salad with mixed greens and a light lemon vinaigrette is wonderful. You can find some of my favorite simple green recipes over here, by the way!

A little fresh parsley sprinkled over the top right before serving really adds a pop of color and fresh flavor too. Keep the sides simple so this amazing Chicken Dinner stays the star.

Storage and Reheating the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep)

Since this superstar Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep) is designed for making ahead, storage is a big deal! You want to keep that sauce velvety smooth, right? After everything has cooled down completely—and I mean completely—portion it out into airtight containers. I prefer glass containers because they reheat more evenly.

When it comes time to eat it later, do *not* just blast it on high heat in the microwave. That’s how you get separation or dried-out chicken! The trick to reheating this awesome Creamy Garlic Pasta is low and slow. Microwave in short 45-second bursts, stirring well in between each burst.

If it seems too thick when reheating, just stir in a teaspoon or two of plain water or extra milk/broth. That little bit of added liquid will bring the sauce right back to life and keep your Chicken Dinner tasting fresh, even on day four!

Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Garlic Pasta

I know you guys have questions! It’s hard to nail a perfect, creamy Chicken Dinner the first time around, especially when you’re managing liquids for meal prep. I gathered the questions I hear most often about achieving that perfect Garlic Parmesan Sauce consistency. For more general questions or inspiration, you can always check out my main blog!

Most of these are related to texture, and trust me, I’ve tested every scenario so you don’t have to! Finding that sweet spot between rich and too thick is simple once you know the tricks. Check out these quick answers before you get started!

How long does Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep) last in the fridge?

Because we are cooking the pasta directly in the sauce, it’s best for short-term meal prep. Properly stored, your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep) should be great for about three to four days in an airtight container in the fridge. Always make sure it cools down totally before sealing it up!

Can I make this Creamy Garlic Pasta without heavy cream?

Yes, you absolutely can. For a healthier swap that still gives you that velvety mouthfeel in your Garlic Parmesan Sauce, try swapping the heavy cream for full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream. But here’s the critical tip: take the pan *completely* off the heat for at least five minutes before stirring in the yogurt. High heat burns yogurt and makes it curdle fast, which ruins the smooth texture we’re aiming for!

Share Your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep) Creations

Okay, now it’s your turn! I’ve given you all my best secrets for making the perfect Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (Meal Prep) that holds up all week long. I put so much heart into developing this simple recipe so you could have an easier weeknight, and I really, really want to see how yours turned out!

Did you manage to grate that Parmesan super fine? Did you add an extra clove of garlic like I sometimes do? Don’t be shy! Head down to the comments section below and tell me everything. Share your successes, your little tweaks, snapshots of your final Chicken Dinner plates, or even if you swapped out the pasta type. Connecting with you and seeing my recipes come to life in your home kitchens is truly the best part of what I do.

Author Bio and Final Thoughts

Hi, I’m EMILIA, the founder of MeltItClean.com – your digital space for natural weight loss, real wellness habits, and clean-living inspiration that actually fits your life.

For years, I struggled with the ups and downs of dieting. I tried everything — juice cleanses, low-carb crazes, fitness challenges — but I always ended up back where I started: tired, bloated, and frustrated. I didn’t just want to “lose weight” — I wanted energy, mental clarity, glowing skin, and confidence without sacrificing my joy or sanity.

After years of experimenting, learning, and unlearning, I discovered a simple truth: your body is already powerful — it just needs support, not restriction. That’s when I created Melt It Clean — a site dedicated to real transformation through clean, intentional, and nourishing daily habits that anyone can follow.

By Hi, I’m EMILIA, the founder of MeltItClean.com – your digital space for natural weight loss, real wellness habits, and clean-living inspiration that actually fits your life. For years, I struggled with the ups and downs of dieting. I tried everything — juice cleanses, low-carb crazes, fitness challenges — but I always ended up back where I started: tired, bloated, and frustrated. I didn’t just want to “lose weight” — I wanted energy, mental clarity, glowing skin, and confidence without sacrificing my joy or sanity. After years of experimenting, learning, and unlearning, I discovered a simple truth: your body is already powerful — it just needs support, not restriction. That’s when I created Melt It Clean — a site dedicated to real transformation through clean, intentional, and nourishing daily habits that anyone can follow.

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