Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. The tender chicken is seared to golden perfection and served with a rich, garlicky Parmesan sauce tossed with hearty pasta. It’s simple to make yet impressively delicious.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or about 1¼ lb chicken thighs)
• 12 oz twisted pasta (rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1¼ cups heavy cream
• 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165 °F). Remove from skillet and let rest.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Step 4: Pour in chicken broth, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes.
5. Step 5: Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth, about 2 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Step 6: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the twisted pasta until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
7. Step 7: Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together to coat well. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs thinning.
8. Step 8: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic while sautéing for a subtle spicy kick.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich and creamy.
• Use chicken thighs if you prefer juicier meat; adjust cooking time slightly if needed.
• Try adding steamed broccoli or spinach to the pasta for a vegetable boost.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much during storage.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, any shape that holds sauce well works, such as penne, farfalle, or shells.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The internal temperature should reach 165 °F (74 °C). You can also cut into the thickest part to ensure it’s no longer pink inside.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 83 reviews

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring juicy seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce and served over tender twisted pasta. This recipe combines easy stovetop cooking with simple pantry ingredients to create a luscious, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or about 1¼ lb chicken thighs)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pasta

• 12 oz twisted pasta (rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi)
• Salt (for pasta water)

Sauce

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1¼ cups heavy cream
• 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prep and Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside to rest.
3. Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
4. Build Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the skillet to lift any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to thicken slightly. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, continuing to cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Cook Pasta: While preparing the sauce, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the twisted pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
6. Combine: Slice the rested chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach the desired consistency.
7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley for color and fresh flavor. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy garlic parmesan chicken with cheesy twisted pasta.

Notes

• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
• You can swap chicken breasts for thighs for juicier meat, but adjust cook time accordingly.
• Reserve pasta water carefully—it helps loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Cheesy Twisted Pasta, Skillet Chicken, One-Pan Dinner, Quick Dinner Recipe