Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a rich and comforting dish combining tender seared chicken breasts with rotini pasta coated in a luscious garlic parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a family dinner, it blends simple ingredients like garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese to create an indulgent yet approachable meal that can be ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, trimmed and patted dry
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Trim and pat dry the chicken breasts. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to enhance flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side, until golden-brown and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and let the chicken rest to retain juices.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss immediately with butter to prevent sticking and add richness.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for chicken, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and continue mixing until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Slice the rested chicken into strips. Toss the cooked rotini pasta in the creamy garlic parmesan sauce until well-coated and flavorful.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pasta, top with sliced chicken strips, drizzle with extra sauce from the pan, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional parmesan if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For best results, do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for a better melting quality and flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice pop of color and freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- This recipe can be adapted to use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
