Description
This Cheesy Rotini with Garlic Parmesan Chicken is an easy and delicious pasta dinner perfect for weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned and pan-seared, then served over rotini pasta drenched in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with melted mozzarella cheese. Garnished with fresh parsley, this comforting dish combines rich flavors and simple ingredients for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Pasta
- 340g rotini pasta
- Salt for pasta water (about 1 tablespoon)
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside to rest before slicing.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8–10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for the chicken, add a little olive oil if needed and sauté the minced garlic over medium heat for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Allow the cream to simmer gently for a few minutes, then stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet with the cheese sauce and toss well to coat every piece of pasta thoroughly with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the cheesy rotini to plates or a serving dish. Top with the sliced garlic Parmesan chicken and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the dish hot for a comforting, cheesy pasta meal that’s sure to satisfy.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps keep it juicy and tender.
- Adjust seasoning in the sauce to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream but note the sauce will be less rich.
- Garnish with extra parsley or grated cheese for a pretty presentation and added flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-frying, boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Keywords: cheesy rotini, garlic parmesan chicken, creamy pasta, easy pasta dinner, quick weeknight meal, Italian pasta recipe
