Season the chicken on all sides with a pinch of salt, pepper, and the Italian seasoning.
Cook the seasoned chicken breast until browned and cooked through. (About 2-3 minutes per side for small chicken breasts, or 4-5 minutes per side for one large chicken breast. The internal temperature of the chicken needs to reach 165 F.) Remove the pan from the heat, and transfer the chicken to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions, minus one minute (for al dente pasta - it will finish cooking in the alfredo sauce.)
While the pasta boils, place the same pan the chicken was cooked in over medium-low heat, and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute, stirring any browned bits from the pan into the butter and garlic as it cooks.
Stir in the heavy cream until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Slowly stir in the cream cheese until fully combined.
The spaghetti should be al dente at this point. Turn the heat off from underneath the pot of pasta, and use tongs to carefully transfer the cooked spaghetti noodles directly from their pot of salted water into the Alfredo sauce, then toss to coat the noodles in sauce.
Turn the heat off from underneath the pan. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper over the noodles, then toss again.
Add reserved pasta water, two tablespoons at a time, tossing constantly as it is added. Continue adding more pasta water until the consistency of the sauce is creamy and to your liking. Divide the pasta between two warm bowls.***
Slice the chicken breast into thin strips and serve on top of the pasta. Garnish with parsley, and serve hot!
Notes
*Heavy cream or half & half will work; if using half & half, stir continuously so the sauce stays creamy.**2 tbsp. Whipped Cream Cheese can be substituted with 1 oz. of cream cheese from a block.***Warm bowls in the microwave for 20 seconds before serving so the pasta stays warm!For directions on making this recipe without chicken, check out the step-by-step recipe within the blog post!