Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish that combines tender, seasoned chicken with al dente rotini pasta, all enveloped in a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a hearty dinner, this recipe balances savory cheeses with Italian herbs to create an irresistible meal everyone’s sure to enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 10 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 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. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika for a balanced flavor profile.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently.
- Add cheese and seasoning: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue simmering until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta along with the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Melt mozzarella: Mix in shredded mozzarella cheese until it melts completely, creating a rich and cheesy texture throughout the dish.
- Add chicken back: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly combined and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve the dish hot to enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness.
Notes
- For extra flavor and nutrition, try adding sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach to the sauce.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream if you prefer a lighter sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
