Description
A comforting and creamy dish featuring tender chicken sautéed in garlic butter, tossed with rotini pasta, and smothered in a rich Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a quick yet indulgent weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 ounces rotini pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Slowly add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Toss cooked rotini pasta into the skillet, coating evenly with sauce and chicken.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Variations include swapping rotini with penne or farfalle, adding sautéed spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra veggies.
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
Sprinkle crispy bacon bits on top for extra flavor.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce and heat gently to avoid drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing and simmering
- Cuisine: American/Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
