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Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

  • Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

Keywords: creamy garlic butter chicken, rotini pasta, Parmesan sauce, quick dinner, one-pan meal, family-friendly, easy chicken recipe