Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta Recipe
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious garlic and Parmesan cream sauce, served over perfectly cooked rotini pasta. This recipe combines the savory flavors of garlic, fresh parsley, and Parmesan cheese to create a satisfying and elegant meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1¼ lb)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
Pasta
- 12 oz twisted pasta (rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi)
Sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the twisted pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Season the sauce with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some sauce over them. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to combine and coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier meat option.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese offers the best flavor and melts more smoothly than pre-grated varieties.
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta; it should be al dente to maintain the best texture.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a slight kick of heat if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 chicken breast with pasta)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: garlic parmesan chicken, creamy pasta recipe, cheesy twisted pasta, easy chicken dinner, comfort food, one-pan chicken pasta, weeknight meal