Southern style creamy parmesan chicken pasta is basically what happens when Southern comfort food meets Italian excellence and they have the most delicious baby you’ve ever tasted. I’m talking about tender, seasoned chicken with that perfect Southern spice blend, swimming in a rich, velvety parmesan cream sauce that coats every strand of pasta in pure indulgence. This isn’t your typical alfredo situation—this is Southern hospitality meets Italian sophistication in a dish that’ll make you forget about every other pasta recipe you’ve ever tried.
I created this southern style creamy parmesan chicken pasta during one of those “what if I combined my two favorite comfort foods” moments, and honestly, it was pure genius. The Southern seasoning on the chicken adds this incredible depth and warmth that transforms basic cream sauce into something extraordinary. Now it’s become my secret weapon for impressing dinner guests who think they’ve tried every pasta dish under the sun. The best part? It comes together in about 30 minutes but tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.
Why This Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta Will Become Your Signature Dish
• Best of both worlds – Southern comfort meets Italian elegance in perfect harmony • Restaurant-quality at home – Tastes like you paid $25 for it but costs about $10 to make • Ready in 30 minutes – Perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something special • Impressive but approachable – Looks fancy enough for date night but easy enough for family dinner • Comfort food perfection – Rich, creamy, and satisfying without being overwhelming
What You’ll Need (Ingredients)
For the Southern-Seasoned Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (680g) – pounded to even thickness
- 2 tsp paprika – smoked paprika if you have it
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper – adjust to taste
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil (45ml)
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta (340g) – shapes that hold sauce well
- 4 tbsp butter (60g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced – fresh is crucial here
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (30g)
- 2 cups heavy cream (480ml)
- 1 cup whole milk (240ml)
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (150g) – fresh only!
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (115g) – secret Southern touch
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (30ml)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce – adds Southern depth
For the Southern Flair:
- 2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional but amazing)
- 2 green onions, sliced – for that Southern garnish
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes for extra heat
- Fresh cracked black pepper
Essential Equipment
- Large skillet for chicken
- Large pot for pasta
- Medium saucepan for sauce
- Meat mallet for pounding chicken
- Whisk
- Tongs
- Cheese grater
- Colander
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Prep That Southern-Spiced Chicken
- Pound chicken evenly – Place chicken between plastic wrap and pound to ¾-inch thickness. Even thickness means even cooking and no dry spots.
- Create Southern seasoning – Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. This blend is pure Southern magic.
- Season generously – Coat chicken breasts on both sides with the spice mixture, pressing gently to help it adhere. Don’t be shy—this is where the flavor comes from.
Cook That Chicken to Perfection
- Heat and sear – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and slice – Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips. Don’t clean the pan—those browned bits are flavor gold for finishing touches.
- Start pasta water – While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta. Time it so pasta finishes when sauce is ready.
Create That Incredible Southern Cream Sauce
- Cook pasta – Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions minus 1 minute (it’ll finish in the sauce). Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Make the roux – In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. This creates the base for your silky sauce.
- Add liquids gradually – Slowly whisk in heavy cream and milk, making sure there are no lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
Bring It All Together
- Melt in the cheese – Remove sauce from heat and whisk in softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly to prevent clumping.
- Season and brighten – Stir in lemon juice and taste for seasoning. Add salt and pepper as needed—the sauce should be rich but balanced.
- Combine pasta and sauce – Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss gently, adding pasta water as needed to achieve perfect consistency.
Finish with Southern Style
- Add chicken back – Nestle sliced chicken into the pasta or arrange on top. The residual heat will warm it through perfectly.
- Garnish like a pro – Sprinkle with crumbled bacon (if using), sliced green onions, and fresh parsley. Add red pepper flakes for extra Southern heat.
- Serve immediately – Transfer to serving bowls and finish with freshly cracked black pepper and extra Parmesan. Serve while hot and creamy.
Smart Variations and Southern Twists
Cajun version: Replace Southern seasoning with Cajun spice blend and add diced andouille sausage.
Lighter version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cream cheese to 2 oz.
Vegetable additions: Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach all work beautifully.
Different proteins: Shrimp, catfish, or even fried green tomatoes make great Southern alternatives.
Spice level control: Adjust cayenne and red pepper flakes to your heat preference.
Pro Tips for Southern Style Pasta Success
• Fresh Parmesan is everything – Pre-grated cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Grate it yourself for silky results.
• Don’t boil after adding cheese – High heat can break the sauce and make it grainy. Keep it at a gentle simmer once dairy is added.
• Save that pasta water – The starchy water helps bind sauce to pasta and adjusts consistency perfectly.
• Pound chicken evenly – This ensures even cooking and prevents dry spots that ruin the dish.
• Let chicken rest – Resting allows juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.
Common Mistakes That’ll Ruin Your Pasta
Using pre-grated Parmesan – It doesn’t melt smoothly and can make your sauce grainy instead of silky.
Adding cheese to boiling sauce – High heat breaks dairy and creates a curdled mess instead of smooth cream sauce.
Overcooking the chicken – Dry, overcooked chicken ruins even the best sauce. Use a thermometer if unsure.
Not reserving pasta water – This starchy liquid is crucial for achieving perfect sauce consistency.
Skipping the roux step – The flour-butter mixture is what thickens your sauce properly and prevents graininess.
Storage and Leftover Magic
Storage: This southern style creamy parmesan chicken pasta keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge, though the sauce may thicken slightly.
Reheating: Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating and heat gently over low heat, stirring frequently. Don’t microwave on high or the sauce will break.
Make-ahead tips: You can cook components separately and combine when ready to serve, but this dish is really best made fresh.
Leftover transformation: Use leftovers as filling for quesadillas or as a base for pasta salad with some added vegetables.
Perfect Southern Comfort Pairings
This southern style creamy parmesan chicken pasta pairs beautifully with:
- Simple green salad with buttermilk ranch dressing for that Southern touch
- Garlic bread or cornbread – because carbs on carbs is always right
- Honey-glazed carrots for some sweet Southern vegetable love
- Sweet tea or bourbon cocktails for authentic Southern beverage pairings
- Collard greens for traditional Southern sides that cut through the richness
Nutritional Info (Per Serving, Serves 4-6)
Being honest about this indulgent comfort food
- Calories: 545
- Protein: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fat: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Calcium: 30% daily value
- Comfort factor: Maximum Southern satisfaction
Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Large skillet for chicken
- Large pot (for pasta)
- Medium saucepan for sauce
- Meat mallet
- Whisk
- Tongs
- Cheese grater
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- 2 tsp paprika (smoked preferred)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- red pepper flakes (to taste)
- fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Place chicken between plastic wrap and pound to ¾-inch thickness for even cooking.
- Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Season both sides of chicken generously with the spice mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Transfer chicken to a plate to rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips. Keep pan drippings for extra flavor.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Whisk in flour and stir 2 minutes to make a roux.
- Slowly add heavy cream and milk while whisking. Add Worcestershire sauce. Simmer gently until thickened.
- Remove from heat. Whisk in cream cheese until smooth, then add parmesan in batches, stirring constantly.
- Stir in lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Adjust consistency with pasta water if needed.
- Mix cooked pasta into the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- Add sliced chicken on top of pasta or stir in. Heat through if needed.
- Garnish with bacon (if using), green onions, parsley, red pepper flakes, and cracked pepper.
- Serve immediately while hot, optionally with extra parmesan on top.
Notes
Nutrition
Your Most Important Questions About This Southern Pasta
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? A: Absolutely! Thighs have more flavor and stay more tender. Just adjust cooking time slightly and remove skin if using skin-on thighs.
Q: What makes this “Southern style” vs regular chicken pasta? A: The Southern seasoning blend with paprika, thyme, and cayenne, plus the addition of cream cheese and Worcestershire sauce, gives it that distinctive Southern comfort food flavor.
Q: Can I make this southern style creamy parmesan chicken pasta dairy-free? A: It’s challenging since dairy is central to this dish, but you could try cashew cream and nutritional yeast, though the flavor and texture will be completely different.
Q: Why is my sauce grainy instead of smooth? A: This usually happens from using pre-grated cheese or adding cheese to sauce that’s too hot. Use fresh-grated Parmesan and remove from heat before adding cheese.
Q: Can I substitute the heavy cream? A: Half-and-half works but won’t be as rich. Milk will work in a pinch but the sauce won’t be as thick or creamy. FYI, the cream cheese helps compensate if you need to use lighter dairy.
