Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce is a quick, indulgent, and comforting meal combining tender chicken breasts, al dente rotini pasta, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce infused with garlic and buttery richness. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan dish offers rich flavors and creamy textures perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, with options to customize for various dietary preferences.
- Author: Sophie
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free Option
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
Pasta
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- Salt (for pasta water)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Prepare the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside to rest.
- Cook the rotini pasta: While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet used for chicken, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer gently until it starts to thicken.
- Add Parmesan and combine: Whisk in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring it all together: Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add cooked rotini and sliced chicken back into the skillet, tossing gently to coat everything evenly in the Parmesan sauce. Cook for another minute to meld the flavors.
- Serve and garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a vibrant finish, then serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan: Grated fresh cheese melts better and adds authentic flavor compared to pre-shredded versions.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Keep the chicken juicy and tender by monitoring cooking time closely.
- Reserve pasta water: Save a little pasta water to thin the sauce if it thickens too much.
- Cook garlic gently: Avoid burning garlic by cooking it on medium heat until just fragrant.
- Let chicken rest: Resting prevents moisture loss and keeps pieces tender and juicy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: creamy garlic butter chicken, rotini pasta, Parmesan sauce, quick dinner, one-pan meal, family-friendly, easy chicken recipe