10+ Chicken and Pasta Recipes to Delight Your Dinner Table

Chicken and pasta recipes really bring together two favorites in meals that are both tasty and easy. Whether you’re cooking just for yourself or feeding a crowd, these dishes deliver comfort and satisfaction any day of the week.

Chicken and pasta meals come in so many flavors and styles. It’s honestly pretty easy to find something that fits your mood and schedule.

With different sauces, spices, and pasta shapes, you can whip up a quick dinner or go for something a bit more involved. It all depends on your mood and how much time you have.

Ingredients

• Chicken breast or thighs
• Pasta (dried or fresh)
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Parmesan cheese
• Cream or broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta following the package directions.
2. Season chicken and cook it in olive oil until done.
3. Sauté garlic, then add cream or broth to make a sauce.
4. Mix the pasta, chicken, and sauce together.
5. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve it up.

1) Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Creamy lemon chicken pasta is a quick, tasty meal for any night of the week. The chicken turns out juicy and tender, then you toss it with pasta and a sauce made from lemon, cream, garlic, and Parmesan.

Lemon brings a bright, zesty kick that really wakes up the dish. The creamy sauce clings to every noodle, and honestly, it’s hard not to go back for seconds.

You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.

Want the step-by-step? Check out Dishing Out Health.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine work well)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook it in butter or oil over medium heat until done, about 5-6 minutes per side. Slice it up.
2. Cook pasta based on package instructions, drain, and set aside.
3. In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
4. Add lemon juice, zest, and heavy cream. Stir and let it simmer.
5. Mix in Parmesan until the sauce thickens.
6. Return chicken and pasta to the pan. Toss everything together.
7. Sprinkle parsley over the top before serving.

2) Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta

This garlic Parmesan chicken and pasta recipe is a real crowd-pleaser. The chicken gets golden and tender, then you combine it with pasta and a creamy, cheesy sauce.

Garlic and Parmesan give the sauce a rich, bold flavor. You don’t even need cream for a smooth texture—makes it a bit lighter, which I like.

You can cook everything in one pan or use a crockpot if you’re in a hurry. Just make sure to season the chicken well and let the cheese melt in nicely.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz pasta (penne or your favorite)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Cook chicken 8-10 minutes per side until golden.
3. Boil pasta until al dente, then drain.
4. In the same pan, cook garlic until fragrant.
5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
6. Stir in Parmesan until melted.
7. Add pasta and chicken back in. Mix and heat through.
8. Serve it up while it’s warm.

If you want a no-cream version, check out this method.

3) One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

One pot creamy Cajun chicken pasta is super easy and packs a punch. The Cajun seasoning brings just enough spice—not too much, not too little.

Everything cooks in one pot, so you don’t have to deal with a pile of dishes. The sauce gets creamy and coats the pasta and chicken perfectly.

If you want, toss in some bell peppers or onions for extra flavor and color.

It’s affordable and fills everyone up. For a detailed recipe, check out Budget Bytes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a big pot over medium heat.
2. Add chicken and Cajun seasoning. Cook until browned.
3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Add pasta, lower the heat, and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes.
5. Stir in cream and cheese. Simmer 2-3 minutes until thickened.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve hot.

4) Pan-Seared Chicken in Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

Start by seasoning chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Pan-sear them in a hot skillet until they get a golden crust and are cooked through.

Next, make a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with garlic, cream, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Want to add spinach or fresh herbs? Go for it—it brightens the flavor.

Let the sauce simmer until it thickens up.

When the pasta’s ready, toss it with the chicken and sauce so everything gets coated. This dish comes together quickly and feels both fresh and comforting.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Italian seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups spinach (optional)
• 8 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook chicken 5-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
4. In the same skillet, cook garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour in cream, stir, and simmer until thick. Add spinach if you want.
6. Cook pasta, drain, and add to the pan.
7. Return chicken, toss everything together, and serve warm.

For more details, see this recipe.

5) Chicken Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

Chicken Scampi is one of those simple, tasty dishes you can pull off any night. The chicken cooks in a garlicky, lemony butter sauce that goes just right with delicate angel hair pasta.

You cook the chicken fast in a pan with olive oil and butter. Then, add garlic, lemon juice, and a splash of wine or broth for flavor.

Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce, and you’ve got dinner in under 30 minutes.

If you’re used to shrimp scampi, this is a fun twist with chicken.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound angel hair pasta
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken cutlets
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook angel hair pasta as the package says; drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium.
3. Season chicken, cook until golden and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.
4. Remove chicken and keep it warm. Add garlic to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour in lemon juice and wine or broth; simmer 2 minutes.
6. Return chicken to the pan, coat with sauce, then toss in the pasta.
7. Garnish with parsley if you want, and serve hot.

Want more? Here’s a chicken scampi recipe with angel hair pasta.

6) One Pot Chicken and Orzo

One pot chicken and orzo is one of those easy meals you can throw together fast. You cook the chicken and pasta in the same pot—less cleanup, more flavor.

Orzo cooks quickly and soaks up the chicken and broth flavors. I like adding garlic, butter, and olive oil for extra taste.

Some recipes toss in sun-dried tomatoes or spinach for color and a little nutrition boost.

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 pounds chicken thighs
• 2 cups orzo pasta
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• Optional: sun-dried tomatoes or spinach

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a big pot over medium.
2. Season chicken with salt, brown it for 5-7 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for a minute.
4. Pour in orzo and enough broth or water to cover.
5. Simmer 10-12 minutes until orzo is tender.
6. Stir in extras if you want, then serve warm.

Details are at this one pot chicken and orzo recipe.

7) Chicken Carbonara

Chicken carbonara puts a tasty spin on the classic Italian favorite. You cook pasta and toss it with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy sauce made from eggs and cheese.

The sauce is smooth—eggs whisked with Parmesan turn rich and silky when mixed with hot pasta. No cream needed.

Adding grilled or sautéed chicken gives the dish extra protein and flavor.

Use spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne, whatever you like. Just make sure the bacon is nice and crispy for that perfect crunch.

It’s filling, simple, and feels a bit special—what more do you want for dinner?

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta (spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne)
• 2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and sliced
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta following the package directions until it’s al dente. Drain and keep about ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. Crisp up the bacon in a pan, then toss in the garlic and sauté for just a minute.
3. Whisk eggs and Parmesan together in a bowl.
4. Combine the hot pasta with the bacon mixture and chicken.
5. Take the pan off the heat. Stir in the egg and cheese mixture, adding pasta water gradually until you get a creamy sauce.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve right away.

8) Super Quick Creamy Chicken Pasta

This one’s a lifesaver when you’re hungry and short on time. You just need a handful of basics, and it comes together so fast.

Throw in some spinach or broccoli if you want to feel a bit healthier. The sauce? Super simple, but honestly, it packs a punch.

I cook the chicken first, then toss everything together with the pasta and sauce. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something cozy but can’t deal with a complicated recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 8 oz (225 g) pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup spinach or broccoli (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta as the package says, then drain it.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
3. Brown the chicken until it’s cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for a minute.
5. Pour in the cream and let it simmer until it thickens a bit.
6. Stir in Parmesan until it melts.
7. Add your cooked pasta and spinach or broccoli, then toss it all together.
8. Season with salt and pepper. Serve while it’s warm.

Check out more tips in this Super Quick Creamy Chicken Pasta video.

9) Chicken and Spinach Pasta

Chicken and spinach pasta is one of those easy dishes you can pull off any night. You get tender chicken, fresh spinach, and pasta, all tossed in a creamy or lemony sauce.

It cooks fast, and you get a good mix of protein and greens. I usually sauté the chicken with garlic and spinach, then mix in cooked pasta and a sauce—could be cream, lemon, or Parmesan.

Honestly, it’s a one-pot wonder when you’re tired but still want something decent. Find a solid recipe with step-by-step photos here.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 8 oz pasta
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cream or half-and-half
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 lemon (juiced and zested)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta as directed, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
3. Brown chicken strips until they’re cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add garlic and sauté for a minute.
5. Stir in spinach and let it wilt.
6. Pour in cream, lemon juice, and zest. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes.
7. Add the pasta and Parmesan, mixing until everything’s coated.
8. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

10) One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

This one-pan garlic butter chicken pasta really hits the spot when you need something fast and satisfying. You cook both the chicken and pasta together in a single pan, so you’ll spend less time doing dishes.

The garlic butter sauce is rich, savory, and honestly, it’s the kind of flavor that makes you go back for seconds. It usually comes together in about 20 minutes, which is a lifesaver on those hectic nights.

You start by searing the chicken until it turns golden brown. Next, toss in pasta and garlic, letting everything cook together in that glorious butter.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Spaghetti or your favorite pasta
• Butter
• Garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese
• Dried parsley flakes

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
5. Add pasta and enough water or broth to cook the pasta.
6. Stir often until pasta is tender.
7. Slice chicken and add back to the pan.
8. Mix in Parmesan and parsley before serving.