Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a rich, satisfying dinner that pairs tender, golden-seared chicken with a velvety garlic parmesan sauce and buttery rotini. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or when you want something indulgent without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta and Sauce
12 ounces twisted pasta (rotini or fusilli)
4 tablespoons butter, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
1½ cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus extra for serving
½ cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
½ cup reserved pasta cooking water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add twisted pasta and cook until al dente (8–10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
2. Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove from skillet.
3. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine and scraping browned bits. Simmer 3–4 minutes to thicken slightly.
5. Reduce heat to low, gradually stir in Parmesan until melted. Add cream cheese in small pieces, stirring until smooth. Stir in mozzarella until creamy. Add pasta water if needed for consistency.
6. Return chicken to skillet with juices. Add pasta, tossing to coat. Simmer 2–3 minutes until heated through.
7. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, add 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes or baby spinach when combining ingredients.
The sauce thickens as it cools; keep it slightly loose before serving.
Rotisserie chicken can be used to save time; add when combining.
Freshly grated cheese ensures a smooth sauce without graininess.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg