Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a comforting and indulgent dinner recipe featuring perfectly seared chicken breasts bathed in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce, served alongside deliciously cheesy twisted pasta. This meal combines tender chicken with a luscious sauce and gooey melted cheese for the ultimate comfort food experience, ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz twisted pasta (rotini or fusilli)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring salted water to a boil and cook twisted pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest before slicing.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until it starts to simmer. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce thickens. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce and stir to fully coat the pasta. Stir in shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese and allow it to melt into the sauce completely.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken breasts. Serve the sliced chicken over or alongside the cheesy twisted pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoother sauce consistency.
- Feel free to swap mozzarella or cheddar with any cheese of your choice to customize the dish.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add a nice touch of color and freshness when serving.
