Description
A rich and flavorful Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini recipe featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts tossed with rotini pasta in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, infused with garlic and herbs. Perfect for a comforting and elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter (for cooking pasta)
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually about 8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a little pasta water for later use to adjust sauce consistency.
- Cook the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in heavy cream and continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine the Chicken and Pasta: Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Add the cooked rotini pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Place the sauced pasta on plates, top with sliced chicken, and toss lightly to combine. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water when draining pasta to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Ensure chicken breasts are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor as garnish but is optional.
- You can substitute rotini with any other pasta shape like penne or fusilli.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
