Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta Recipe
A comforting, flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender seared chicken smothered in a rich, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, tossed with spiral twisted pasta that captures every bit of cheesy goodness for a satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or about 1¼ lb chicken thighs)
Pasta
- 12 oz twisted pasta (rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi)
Dairy & Fats
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
Liquids
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
Produce & Herbs
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Seasonings
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and form a delicious crust during searing.
- Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook for about 5–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until a golden crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 165 °F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest, which helps preserve its juiciness.
- Sauté the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Toss in the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful to avoid burning the garlic as it can become bitter.
- Build the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate all flavors. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 3–4 minutes until it starts to thicken. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese over about 2 minutes until the sauce is smooth and coats the back of a spoon. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, adding seasoning after the cheese to avoid over-salting.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the twisted pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions, about 8–10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta to adjust the sauce consistency later if needed.
- Combine Chicken, Pasta & Sauce: Slice the rested chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. Return the chicken slices to the skillet, nestling them on top. Let everything warm together for about a minute to meld the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a pop of color and fresh herbaceous flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the succulent chicken and the creamy, cheesy pasta at their best.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure the chicken browns properly instead of steaming.
- Watch the garlic closely to avoid burning, which will make the sauce bitter.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce without making it watery if needed.
- Whisk Parmesan cheese in gradually to prevent clumping and achieve a smooth sauce.
- Rest the chicken after cooking to keep it juicy.
- Adjust sauce thickness with reserved pasta water or additional simmering time.
- Season the sauce after adding Parmesan to avoid over-salting.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens on standing and can become gloopy.
- Leftovers can be reheated gently on the stove with added milk or broth for creaminess.
Keywords: Creamy garlic parmesan chicken, cheesy twisted pasta, seared chicken recipe, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner recipe, one-pan chicken pasta
