Description
Looking for a quick, comforting dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal effort? This Cheesy Rotini with Garlic Parmesan Chicken is exactly what you need. Tender rotini pasta swirled in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and topped with golden, garlic-infused chicken—this easy pasta dinner is perfect for busy nights, cozy weekends, or make-ahead meals. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner ideas, quick pasta recipes, or comfort food favorites, this one’s guaranteed to please the whole family. Great for meal prep and leftovers, it’s a deliciously satisfying option for your weeknight dinner rotation.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and rest.
4. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream, stirring until it simmers. Add parmesan and mozzarella gradually, stirring until smooth.
6. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
7. Slice the rested chicken and place on top or stir into the pasta.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm with extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan for a smoother sauce—pre-shredded often clumps.
Let chicken rest after cooking to retain moisture when sliced.
Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to refresh the sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta, garlic parmesan chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, quick pasta recipe