Comfort food made simple and delicious
When you’re craving something cozy yet easy to make, this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta delivers every time. It’s rich, creamy, and full of savory flavor, featuring tender chicken layered over perfectly cooked pasta and coated in a smooth, garlicky Parmesan sauce. The combination of textures, from juicy chicken to al dente pasta and velvety cheese sauce, makes this dish an instant favorite. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner recipe or a special comfort meal for fall, this creamy pasta is sure to impress without keeping you in the kitchen for hours.
Time Breakdown
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients List
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into large fillets)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked twisted pasta (rotini or fusilli)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
You won’t need anything fancy for this recipe, just dependable kitchen basics that make cooking smooth and enjoyable:
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Baking dish (optional for broiling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- Make the garlic sauce base: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant.
- Build the cream sauce: Slowly pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Add Italian seasoning and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the cheese: Stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella until fully melted and smooth. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
- Combine with pasta: Add the cooked twisted pasta directly into the sauce, tossing to coat every piece.
- Finish with chicken: Slice the cooked chicken and arrange it over the creamy pasta. Spoon extra sauce on top for added richness.
- Optional step: For a golden cheesy topping, transfer everything to a baking dish, sprinkle with mozzarella, and broil for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Pro Tips
- Storage: Keep leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat slowly over low heat with a splash of cream or milk.
- Lighter version: Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk for a slightly lighter sauce that’s still creamy.
- Make-ahead option: You can cook the chicken and pasta earlier in the day. Just make the sauce fresh before combining.
- Serving ideas: Pair it with garlic toast, steamed green beans, or a crisp house salad for a complete, restaurant-style meal.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | ~540 | 38g | 32g | 28g | 2g | 3g |
Conclusion
If you love creamy pasta dishes, this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta will quickly earn a place in your weekly rotation. It’s simple enough for a weeknight yet satisfying enough for company. The creamy garlic sauce, juicy chicken, and cheesy pasta come together in perfect harmony, creating a meal that feels indulgent but is effortless to make. Enjoy it fresh from the skillet and watch it disappear fast around the dinner table.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into large fillets)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked twisted pasta (rotini or fusilli)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat chicken fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Cooking Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant.
- Slowly pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Add Italian seasoning and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella until fully melted and smooth.
Combining
- Add the cooked twisted pasta directly into the sauce, tossing to coat every piece.
- Slice the cooked chicken and arrange it over the creamy pasta. Spoon extra sauce on top for added richness.
Optional Broiling
- For a golden cheesy topping, transfer everything to a baking dish, sprinkle with mozzarella, and broil for 2 to 3 minutes.
Serving
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.