Description

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Cheesy Twisted Pasta recipe combines tender, flavorful chicken breasts with a rich and velvety garlic parmesan sauce tossed with cheesy rotini pasta. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this dish balances smoky spices on the chicken with creamy, melted mozzarella and parmesan, enhanced by aromatic garlic and Italian herbs. It’s easy to prepare and will delight the whole family with its delicious flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for searing)

Pasta

12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
Water for boiling
Salt for pasta water

Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups heavy cream
0.75 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
0.5 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish

1 handful fresh chopped parsley
Extra parmesan cheese (optional)
Additional red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let rest while you prepare the pasta and sauce.
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the garlic butter roux: In the same skillet used for chicken, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Make the creamy sauce: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the melted butter and garlic. Whisk continuously to combine and cook the roux for about 1 minute. Gradually pour in 2 cups heavy cream while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the cheeses and seasonings: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella, dried Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheeses have melted fully and the sauce is smooth.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce, tossing gently to coat every piece thoroughly. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to adjust the sauce to your desired consistency.
Slice and serve the chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces. Arrange the chicken on top of the cheesy pasta.
Garnish and enjoy: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, extra parmesan, and additional red pepper flakes on top for flavor and presentation. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Be sure to not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
Reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best cheesy flavor and smooth melting.
Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat.
This dish pairs well with a light green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 620 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 480 mg
Fat: 38 g
Saturated Fat: 22 g
Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 32 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Cheesy Twisted Pasta, Rotini Pasta Recipe, Easy Chicken Dinner, Garlic Parmesan Sauce, Comfort Food