Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken served with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce, paired perfectly with al dente rotini pasta tossed in the luscious sauce. It’s a perfect meal for any night of the week that combines simple ingredients into an indulgent dinner everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1¼ lb chicken thighs can be used)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter (divided)
Sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz twisted pasta (rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi)
- 1 cup reserved pasta water (optional, for sauce consistency)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep and Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and prepare for searing.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes per side until they develop a golden crust and reach an internal temperature of 165 °F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest while preparing the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Build Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits for added flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, about 2 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the twisted pasta until al dente, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Combine: Slice the rested chicken breasts into strips. Return the chicken slices to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the creamy garlic Parmesan chicken with cheesy twisted pasta hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half and reduce the butter slightly.
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier meat; cooking times may vary slightly.
- Reserve pasta water is important to adjust the sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta better.
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoother melting in the sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the sauce.
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Cheesy Pasta, Twisted Pasta Recipe, Easy Chicken Dinner, One-Pan Chicken and Pasta
