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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Easy Family Dinner

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a restaurant-quality comfort meal made in under 30 minutes. Juicy seared chicken meets a silky, garlicky Parmesan sauce that perfectly coats tender twisted pasta. Rich, creamy, and full of flavor — it’s the ultimate family dinner everyone will crave.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian-American
Calories: 640
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or about 1¼ lb chicken thighs
  • 12 oz Twisted pasta rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi
  • 3 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 4 cloves Fresh garlic minced
  • 1 cup Chicken broth
  • 1.25 cups Heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Method
 

  1. 1. Prep and Season Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. 2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from the skillet and set aside to rest.
  3. 3. Sauté Garlic: Reduce heat to medium. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then add minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. 4. Build the Sauce: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes. Gradually whisk in grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. 5. Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, boil the twisted pasta in salted water until al dente (8–10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  6. 6. Combine: Slice the rested chicken and return it to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat in the sauce. Add a splash of pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  7. 7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot. Optionally, top with extra Parmesan for an indulgent finish.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a handful of baby spinach to the sauce. You can also use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.