Description

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender, seared chicken breasts with a rich garlic Parmesan sauce and perfectly cooked twisted pasta. The creamy sauce, infused with fresh garlic and Parmesan cheese, coats the pasta and chicken beautifully, making it an irresistible meal ideal for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1¼ lb chicken thighs as an alternative)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter (divided into 1 tbsp + 2 tbsp)

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 and Garnish

12 oz twisted pasta (rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Prep and season chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance their flavor and ensure a tasty sear.
Sear chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear them for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 °F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest while you prepare the sauce.
Sauté garlic: Lower the heat to medium. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to brown it, to develop the base flavor of the sauce.
Build sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet to add depth of flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 2 more minutes. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
Cook pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the twisted pasta until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
Combine: Slice the rested chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the skillet with the sauce, then add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening to the desired consistency.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the dish generously with chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish. Serve the creamy garlic Parmesan chicken with cheesy twisted pasta hot, enjoying rich flavors and comforting textures.

Notes

You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option; just adjust cooking time accordingly.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smoother sauce texture.
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce cling to the pasta better.
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream but expect a thinner sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or broth if sauce thickens too much.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Searing and Simmering
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 620 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 750 mg
Fat: 35 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken, cheesy twisted pasta, rotini pasta recipe, garlic chicken dinner, easy creamy pasta, weeknight chicken recipes