Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce is a quick and comforting dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts, al dente rotini pasta, and a luscious garlic butter sauce enriched with fresh Parmesan cheese and heavy cream. This flavor-packed dish delivers creamy texture and savory depth, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken and pasta: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from pan and let rest. Meanwhile, boil rotini pasta in salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté garlic in butter: In the same pan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant and light golden, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Create the creamy Parmesan sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until it begins to thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring to melt fully and create a smooth, silky sauce.
- Combine chicken and rotini with the sauce: Slice the rested chicken into strips. Add the chicken and drained rotini back into the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together gently to ensure the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Finish with fresh herbs and seasoning: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for color and freshness. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture is ideal as it will cook a bit more when combined with the sauce.
- Using room temperature heavy cream helps prevent curdling and ensures smooth sauce.
- Cook garlic on medium-low heat to avoid burning and achieve a mellow flavor.
- Allow cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing to retain juiciness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: creamy garlic butter chicken, rotini pasta, Parmesan sauce, quick dinner, creamy pasta, chicken dinner, comfort food