11 Chicken Pasta Recipes Everyone Loves on Busy Weeknights

The clock strikes 6 PM, and the familiar question echoes through the house: “What’s for dinner?” It’s the daily challenge that can make even the most organized person consider speed-dialing for takeout. You want something delicious, comforting, and satisfying, but you definitely don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

This is where the magic of chicken and pasta comes in. Tender, versatile chicken and comforting, pantry-staple pasta are the ultimate power couple for solving the weeknight dinner dilemma. They come together quickly to create meals that are not only easy to make but are genuinely loved by the whole family. As a busy home cook, I’ve tested countless recipes, and these 11 are the ones my family asks for on repeat—all ready in about 30 minutes.

When you need a quick and satisfying meal, chicken pasta recipes are the perfect solution. Most can be prepared in under 30 minutes, using simple pantry staples to create comforting, family-friendly dishes perfect for any busy weeknight. Get ready to transform your evenings from stressful to delicious.

11 Chicken Pasta Recipes Everyone Loves on Busy Weeknights

Forget boring dinners. This curated list is your new playbook for weeknight wins. We’ve gathered a variety of flavors and cooking methods to suit any craving—from ultra-creamy one-pot wonders that minimize cleanup to vibrant, fresh dishes that taste like sunshine in a bowl. Each recipe is designed for speed and simplicity without ever sacrificing that “wow” factor. Get ready to find your next family favorite.

Our top chicken pasta recipes include: 1. Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta, 2. Pesto Pasta with Chicken, 3. Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, 4. Chicken and Broccoli Pasta, 5. Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta…

1. One-Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta

For an incredibly easy and creamy chicken pasta with minimal cleanup, this one-pan garlic parmesan dish is the ultimate comfort food. The pasta cooks directly in the rich, savory sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

• Ingredients: Boneless skinless chicken breast, penne pasta, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, pepper, fresh parsley.
• Instructions:
  1. In a large skillet, melt butter and cook seasoned chicken until golden. Set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, toast the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add chicken broth and uncooked pasta, bringing it to a boil. Cook until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
  4. Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss everything to combine. Garnish generously with fresh parsley before serving.

Pro-Tip: Cooking the pasta directly in the chicken broth and sauce infuses every single bite with flavor, a key technique for making truly delicious one-pan meals.

Pin this one-pan wonder for your next busy weeknight!

2. Vibrant Pesto Pasta with Chicken

For a fast, fresh, and flavorful pasta dish that feels light yet completely satisfying, combine pasta with chicken, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a fantastic way to use store-bought pesto for a meal that tastes gourmet but is ready in minutes.

• Ingredients: Pasta of choice (penne or fusilli work well), thin-cut chicken cutlets, store-bought or homemade pesto, jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil, fresh spinach, salt, pepper, olive oil.
• Instructions:
  1. Cook your pasta according to the package directions. Before draining, be sure to reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, season and cook the chicken cutlets in a skillet until they are cooked through. Slice them into strips.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, cooked chicken, a generous amount of pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes.
  4. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help create a smooth, glossy sauce that coats every piece of pasta and chicken.
  5. Stir in a handful of fresh spinach and toss until it just begins to wilt from the heat. Serve immediately.

Pro-Tip: Using thin-cut chicken cutlets significantly reduces cooking time, making this a true under-30-minute meal. The oil from the sun-dried tomato jar adds an extra layer of flavor, so don’t be afraid to add a drizzle!

Love fresh flavors? Save this Pesto Pasta recipe now!

3. One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

When you crave something creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor, this one-pot Cajun chicken pasta with fire-roasted tomatoes is the answer. It delivers a satisfying smoky kick and comes together in a single pot for easy cleanup.

• Ingredients: Diced chicken breast, Cajun seasoning blend, penne pasta, canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cream cheese, onion, garlic.
• Instructions:
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chicken seasoned generously with Cajun spices until it’s nicely browned. Add diced onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
  2. Stir in the chicken broth, the entire can of fire-roasted tomatoes (with juice), and the uncooked pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  3. Cover the pot, reduce the heat, and let it simmer until the pasta is cooked through, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in cubed cream cheese until it melts completely, forming a smooth, creamy sauce.
  5. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if desired.

Pro-Tip: Using fire-roasted tomatoes instead of regular diced tomatoes is a game-changer. It adds a layer of smoky depth that perfectly complements the Cajun spices for a more complex flavor profile.

Craving something with a kick? Pin this Creamy Cajun Pasta for later!

4. Wholesome Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

For a balanced, wholesome pasta dish that includes a green vegetable, this chicken and broccoli pasta with a light white wine and Parmesan sauce is perfect. It feels slightly more elevated than a basic pasta dish but is still incredibly simple to make.

• Ingredients: Penne pasta, bite-sized chicken pieces, broccoli florets, garlic, dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc), chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil.
• Instructions:
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli florets to the boiling water for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds. Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  4. Add chicken broth and bring the sauce to a simmer.
  5. Return the chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta and broccoli. Add grated Parmesan cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water, tossing until a light, silky sauce forms and coats everything.

Lesson Learned: Don’t skip reserving the starchy pasta water! It’s the absolute key to emulsifying the sauce, creating a silky consistency that clings beautifully to the pasta instead of a watery one at the bottom of the bowl.

Add this healthy and delicious recipe to your weeknight rotation!

5. Bright Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta

To cut through richness with a bright, refreshing, and zesty flavor, a lemon butter chicken pasta is an elegant and simple choice. The combination of tangy lemon, rich butter, and savory Parmesan is truly irresistible.

• Ingredients: Pasta of choice (spaghetti or linguine are great), chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces, butter, garlic, fresh lemon juice and zest, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley.
• Instructions:
  1. Cook your pasta according to the package directions, reserving a cup of pasta water.
  2. In a skillet, cook the seasoned chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until the garlic is fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  4. Stir in chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, bringing the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  5. Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet, along with Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and a splash of pasta water.
  6. Toss everything together until the sauce becomes creamy and beautifully coats the pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Pro-Tip: Using both lemon juice (for bright acidity) and lemon zest (for aromatic oils) creates a much deeper, more complex, and authentic lemon flavor that shines through the entire dish.

Pin this bright and zesty pasta recipe for a taste of sunshine!

6. Quick Yakisoba Chicken Noodles

For a flavorful noodle dish inspired by Japanese cuisine, these quick and customizable Yakisoba chicken noodles are a weeknight hero. They are packed with chicken and savory vegetables in a tangy sauce.

• Ingredients: Sliced chicken, fresh or packaged yakisoba noodles, sliced shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, shredded cabbage, Yakisoba sauce (store-bought or homemade with Worcestershire, soy sauce, ketchup, and sugar).
• Instructions:
  1. In a large wok or skillet over high heat, stir-fry the sliced chicken until it’s fully cooked. Remove it from the pan and set aside.
  2. Add a little more oil to the pan and stir-fry the vegetables (mushrooms, snow peas, cabbage) until they are crisp-tender.
  3. Add the yakisoba noodles to the skillet, loosening them with a tablespoon or two of water as you toss them.
  4. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, pour the Yakisoba sauce over everything, and toss it all together until well-coated and heated through.

Pro-Tip: For the best texture, don’t overcrowd the pan. Stir-fry the chicken and vegetables in batches if necessary to ensure they get a nice sear and stay crisp instead of steaming.

Shake up your weeknight with this amazing Yakisoba recipe! Save it now.

7. Easy Chicken Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

For a quick, light, and elegant pasta dish, this chicken scampi with angel hair pasta is a fantastic alternative to the classic shrimp version. A simple garlic butter and white wine pan sauce makes it taste like it came from a restaurant.

• Ingredients: Angel hair pasta, chicken breast cut into small pieces, garlic, butter, olive oil, dry white wine or chicken stock, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley.
• Instructions:
  1. Cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions (it cooks very quickly!).
  2. In a skillet, heat a combination of butter and olive oil. Cook the seasoned chicken pieces until they are golden and cooked through.
  3. Add minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, cooking for just 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, simmering for a minute to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavors.
  5. Toss the cooked, drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce and chicken.
  6. Finish by adding another knob of butter and a handful of fresh parsley, tossing everything to combine into a luscious sauce.

Lesson Learned: Angel hair pasta cooks in just 2-3 minutes. It’s crucial to have all your sauce ingredients prepped and ready to go before you drop the pasta in the boiling water to avoid overcooking it.

For an elegant but easy dinner, save this Chicken Scampi recipe!

8. The Famous “Marry Me” Chicken Pasta

To make the viral, “proposal-worthy” pasta dish, combine pan-seared chicken with a creamy sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce. This dish is known for its incredibly rich, decadent, and comforting flavors that are guaranteed to impress.

• Ingredients: Chicken breasts, pasta (penne or rigatoni), heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, fresh spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil.
• Instructions:
  1. Cook your pasta according to the package directions.
  2. In a skillet, pan-sear seasoned chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through. Set them aside to rest before slicing.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic. Then add chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Let it simmer gently until the sauce thickens.
  4. Stir in fresh spinach and cook just until it wilts into the sauce.
  5. Return the sliced chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss to coat everything in the unbelievably creamy sauce.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving.

Pro-Tip: For an even richer flavor, use a splash of the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar when you sauté the garlic. It’s packed with savory, herby goodness that will elevate the entire sauce.

Find out why everyone’s obsessed! Pin this Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe.

9. Skillet Chicken & Spinach Pasta with Lemon Parmesan

For a complete one-skillet meal that’s quick to cook and even easier to clean up, combine chicken, pasta, and spinach in a lemony Parmesan sauce. Everything cooks together in one pan for a seamless dinner experience.

• Ingredients: Bite-sized chicken pieces, pasta, baby spinach, garlic, dry white wine, lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, chicken broth.
• Instructions:
  1. In a large, deep skillet, cook the chicken pieces until browned. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
  2. Stir in chicken broth, white wine, and the uncooked pasta. Bring it to a boil, then cover and simmer until the pasta is nearly cooked through.
  3. Uncover the skillet and stir in the baby spinach in batches; it will seem like a lot, but it wilts down quickly.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese until a light, creamy sauce forms.

Lesson Learned: Using quick-cooking ingredients like bite-sized chicken pieces and tender baby spinach is the secret to making this a true one-skillet success that’s ready in record time.

One skillet, endless flavor. Save this recipe for easy cleanup!

10. Ultimate One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta

For an ultra-simple, cheesy, and comforting one-pot meal, use pantry staples like jarred pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese. This recipe is the definition of a crowd-pleasing, low-effort dinner.

• Ingredients: Diced chicken, uncooked pasta, a jar of your favorite pasta sauce, water or chicken broth, onion, garlic, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese.
• Instructions:
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the diced chicken with diced onion and garlic.
  2. Stir in the entire jar of pasta sauce, water or broth, and the uncooked pasta.
  3. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook until the pasta is al dente, making sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  5. Cover the pot again for about 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt into a perfectly gooey, irresistible layer.

Pro-Tip: This recipe is incredibly versatile. Swap the chicken for Italian sausage, or add leftover roasted veggies to clean out the fridge. It’s a perfect “framework” recipe you can adapt to what you have on hand.

Get your comfort food fix! Pin this cheesy one-pot meal.

11. Lightning Fast 15-Minute Chicken Pasta

When you need the absolute fastest chicken pasta possible, use quick-cooking ingredients like thin chicken slices and angel hair pasta. This recipe is designed for those extremely busy nights when every minute counts.

• Ingredients: Thinly sliced chicken breast, quick-cook pasta (like angel hair), canned tomato sauce, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan.
• Instructions:
  1. Get your pasta water boiling immediately. Cook the pasta according to its directions (angel hair only takes 2-3 minutes).
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat oil in a skillet and cook the thin chicken slices with garlic and Italian seasoning. This will only take 2-3 minutes.
  3. Pour the tomato sauce into the skillet and bring it to a simmer.
  4. Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat everything well.
  5. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan, cover the skillet for just a minute to melt the cheese, and serve immediately.

Lesson Learned: The key to a true 15-minute meal is multitasking. Start the pasta water first, then prep and cook everything else while it’s heating up and cooking. Every second counts!

Dinner in 15 minutes? Yes! Save this speedy recipe now.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to chicken pasta recipes

• One-Pot Wonders: For minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, choose recipes like the Garlic Parmesan or Creamy Cajun pasta where everything, including the pasta, cooks in a single skillet.
• Flavor Profiles for Everyone: This list covers every craving, from the spicy kick of Cajun to the bright zest of Lemon Butter and the rich comfort of Marry Me Chicken.
• Speed is Key: Leverage quick-cooking ingredients like thin-cut chicken, tender vegetables (spinach), and fast-cooking pasta (angel hair) to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
• Pantry Staples are Your Friend: Many of these recipes, like the One-Pot Cheesy Pasta, rely on simple ingredients you likely already have, such as jarred pasta sauce and cheese.

People Also Ask About chicken pasta recipes

What can I put in a chicken pasta?

Beyond chicken and pasta, popular additions include vegetables like broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes. For the sauce, you can use a creamy base with Parmesan and heavy cream, a tomato-based sauce, a fresh pesto, or a light lemon and butter sauce. Fresh herbs like basil and parsley always add a burst of freshness.

Is chicken pasta a healthy meal?

Chicken pasta can absolutely be a healthy meal. To make it healthier, use whole wheat pasta for more fiber, lean chicken breast for protein, and load it up with vegetables like spinach and broccoli. Opt for a lighter tomato or olive oil-based sauce over heavy cream sauces to manage fat content. Portion control is also key.

Can you cook raw chicken in a pasta sauce?

Yes, you can cook raw chicken directly in a pasta sauce. Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces to ensure it cooks quickly and evenly. Add it to the sauce and let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked through, with no pink remaining inside. Using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) is the safest method.

Final Thoughts

A delicious, satisfying, home-cooked meal is completely within your reach, even on the most hectic of weeknights. With these simple and flavorful chicken pasta recipes, you can put away the takeout menus for good and bring the joy of a comforting dinner back to your family table.

Which of these chicken pasta recipes are you most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments below