Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender seared chicken breasts in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce tossed with perfectly cooked twisted pasta. The sauce is silky with a delightful balance of fresh garlic and creamy cheese, making it an ideal dinner for family or entertaining.
- 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)
- Salt, to taste
- 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
Pasta
- 12 oz twisted pasta (rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi)
- Salt, for pasta water
- 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 using paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to ensure flavorful meat.
- Sear chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5–6 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 °F. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest.
- Sauté garlic: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
- Build sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet bottom. Stir in the heavy cream and let the mixture simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, continuing for about 2 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook pasta: While the sauce simmers, boil a large pot of salted water and cook the twisted pasta until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Combine: Slice the rested chicken into strips and return it to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together gently to coat the pasta and chicken in the creamy sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it is too thick.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy this rich and comforting meal.
Notes
- Using chicken thighs instead of breasts will yield a juicier result but may alter the cooking time slightly.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much after adding pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Cheesy Twisted Pasta, One-Pan Chicken Dinner, Garlic Parmesan Sauce, Easy Chicken Pasta Recipe
