Creamy Garlic Parm Chicken Pasta Recipe (Better Than Takeout!)

This Creamy Garlic Parm Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food — cheesy, garlicky, crispy, and loaded with flavor. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this pasta combines crispy fried chicken tenders tossed in homemade garlic parmesan sauce with creamy cavatappi noodles, bacon, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. A viral recipe made easy for your kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parm Chicken Pasta

This isn’t your average weeknight pasta. We’re layering crispy fried chicken tenders, rich roasted garlic parmesan sauce, smoky bacon, and tender cavatappi noodles for a dish that’s restaurant-quality but easy enough to make at home. Whether you serve it for date night, a family dinner, or when you’re just craving comfort food, this pasta is always a showstopper.

Ingredients for Garlic Parm Chicken Pasta

Pasta & Sauce

• 4 strips of bacon
• ½ onion, diced
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp fresh garlic
• 1–2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup half & half
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded parmesan
• 1 lb cavatappi noodles
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)
• Diced parsley (for garnish)

Garlic Parm Chicken Tenders

• Buttermilk to soak chicken (or 2 eggs)
• 1 lb chicken tenders
• ½ stick melted butter
• ¼ cup grated parmesan (plus more for topping)
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves of grated fresh garlic
• Fresh chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Oil for frying

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Garlic Parm Chicken Pasta

Step 1 – Roast the Garlic

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Slice the top off one head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, season lightly with salt and pepper, and wrap tightly in foil.

Roast for 40 minutes until soft, golden, and fragrant. This roasted garlic is the secret weapon of the sauce.

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Step 2 – Prep the Chicken Tenders

Season 1 lb of chicken tenders with salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne.

Add 1–2 tsp hot sauce if you like extra heat.

Place chicken in buttermilk (or whisked eggs) and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

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Step 3 – Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously.

Cook 1 lb cavatappi noodles according to package instructions until al dente.

Drain, but reserve 1 cup of pasta water for the sauce.

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Step 4 – Build the Creamy Pasta Sauce

In a skillet over medium heat, cook 4 strips of bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.

In the rendered bacon fat, sauté ½ diced onion until softened (3–4 minutes).

Stir in ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes and 1 tbsp fresh garlic.

Add 1–2 tbsp flour, whisking to create a roux. Cook for 2–3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

Slowly whisk in 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup half & half. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Add roasted garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir until smooth.

Toss in 2 cups fresh spinach and cook until wilted.

Add ½ cup shredded mozzarella and ½ cup shredded parmesan. Stir until the sauce is creamy. Chop the bacon and stir it back into the sauce.

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Step 5 – Fry the Chicken

Heat oil in a frying pan or Dutch oven to 350°F.

Coat marinated chicken in seasoned flour until well-dredged.

Fry 5–6 minutes until golden brown, crispy, and 165°F internal temp. Set on paper towels.

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Step 6 – Combine & Serve

Toss the cooked cavatappi into the creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen.

Drizzle with garlic-parmesan butter sauce (½ stick melted butter, 2 cloves grated garlic, ¼ cup grated parmesan, fresh parsley).

Place crispy chicken tenders on top of the pasta.

Garnish with extra parmesan, parsley, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

Serving Suggestions

This pasta is rich enough to be the main course, but pairs beautifully with:

• Garlic bread or focaccia
• A simple green salad
• Roasted vegetables

Trust me — one bite and you’ll know why this recipe went viral.

Try More Garlic Parm Recipes by Mr. Make It Happen

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