Description
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rotini in Parmesan Sauce is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken bites and spiral rotini coated in a velvety garlic Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a satisfying, restaurant-style meal that comes together quickly for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz (225 g) rotini pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth and simmer 2–3 minutes, scraping browned bits from the pan.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Gradually add Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until smooth and creamy.
- Return chicken to the skillet and coat in the sauce.
- Add cooked rotini and toss to combine. Use reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency.
- Simmer 2–3 minutes to blend flavors. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- Keep heat low when adding cheese to prevent graininess.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture and flavor.
- Add pasta water gradually to loosen thick sauce.
- Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 730 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
