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This easy creamy chicken pasta recipe is a delicious one pot meal made with tender chicken and shell pasta in a creamy tomato sauce. Ready in 30 minutes!
If you’re looking for a quick and easy chicken recipe with few ingredients, you’re going to love this easy recipe for creamy chicken pasta! You cook the chicken and pasta together in one pot for easy clean-up, and the entire meal is done in about 30 minutes.
This is such an easy dinner than anyone can make. I love it for a quick weeknight meal, and the leftovers are perfect for a hot lunch the next day. Seriously, even my pickiest eaters think this creamy pasta is one of the BEST chicken and pasta recipes out there! If you love one pot pasta recipes with chicken try this Buffalo mac or Alfredo version next!
Ingredient Notes
Here’s basically what you need to make it. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts — Chicken tenders or thighs will also work.
- Pasta — I love shells because they hold the creamy sauce, but any short pasta works.
- Marinara sauce — Use your favorite brand or homemade sauce.
- Water — to help cook the pasta
- Heavy cream — to make the sauce nice and creamy
- Parmesan cheese — adds flavor and a little cheesy goodness
- Seasonings — onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, pepper
- Olive oil — for cooking the meat
How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta
Cook the chicken in a large pot until it’s no longer pink.Next, add your shell pasta, marinara sauce and water. Give it a quick stir, cover the pot, and let it all cook together until the pasta starts to get soft. You do have to keep an eye on the pasta and chicken and stir it from time to time. When the pasta starts to soften, add your heavy cream. Leave the lid off to allow the cream sauce to reduce and thicken. When the pasta is cooked al dente, you can stir in some grated Parmesan cheese.
I usually throw in a little fresh parsley, but this is optional. It adds such a pretty pop of color, though, and it adds a little bit of freshness to this creamy one pot pasta dish. The pasta might seem a little saucy, but it will thicken up as it cools off. If you want it thicker, you can add more Parm.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. This freezes well for up to 3 months and is easy to defrost and reheat in the microwave.
Recipe Tip
Cut the chicken into small pieces so they cook evenly.
Use a Dutch oven or pan that is large enough to hold everything as this makes a lot of food.
Variation
If you have an electric pressure cooker, try this Instant Pot version. You can also make this recipe with ground beef or Italian sausage.
One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced onions
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 16- ounces medium shell pasta uncooked
- 24- ounces marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley, optional chopped
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or large pot until warm, then add the olive oil and onions, and cook until onions are just soft
- Add the chicken to the pot, then add the Italian seasoning, sea salt, garlic powder and pepper, and cook over medium high heat until chicken is no longer pink, stirring frequently
- Stir in the pasta, marinara sauce and water, then cover with lid, and cook until pasta starts to soften, stirring frequently to make sure pasta doesn't stick to the bottom
- Remove lid, and stir in heavy cream, and simmer uncovered on medium heat until pasta is al dente. Stir in Parmesan cheese, top with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Made this last night, it’s delish! I changed a few things though-
Instead of the pasta you used, I changed this to lenguine
Added some mushrooms and a handful of spinach
That sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed it!
Just made it. At first, when reading the recipe and amounts of ingredients, I thought….wow, that’s a lot. Then I saw it’s 10 servings. As I’m living alone I used half of everything. I just tasted it and it’s great! A pity I have to wait several hours before it’s dinner time LOL. I added a can of garden peas for the needed veggies 😉 I think it’s nice with a green salad on the side too.
Thanks for this recipe!!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! It freezes and reheats well, so it works for leftovers too. Thanks so much!
Ohhhhh! This looks SO SO delicious! I can’t wait to make it for dinner!
Hope you get a chance to try it soon, Allyson.
Great dinner last night. Loved the meal and the easy clean up. Kids want to have it again already!
Thanks, James! I’m so happy you guys liked it!
This pasta looks so creamy and inviting! I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy the pasta. 🙂
Oh my, this looks incredibly delicious!! My family would LOVE it!!
Mine loved it! Thanks, Katerina — hope you get a chance to try it!
Love a one pot meal! Especially one as creamy as this one!
One pot meals are the best! Yes, this one is super creamy!
That looks so creamy and delcious. Love how it comes together easily and in one pot.
What’s not to love about this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re so very welcome, Amanda. Thanks!
This was amazing! I just loved how creamy it was. Definitely a keeper.
That’s wonderful, Stephanie! Thanks so much!