Description
Ready for a quick dinner that tastes like it came from your favorite Italian bistro? This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rotini is a cozy, rich, and utterly satisfying dish that brings together seared, juicy chicken breast and rotini pasta coated in a smooth, garlicky cream sauce with cheddar and mozzarella. Whether you’re looking for easy dinner ideas, a comforting family meal, or a reliable weeknight favorite, this recipe has it all. It’s simple, creamy, and packed with flavor—perfect for anyone craving a delicious, easy recipe that’s big on comfort and low on stress.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
10 oz rotini pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Sear the chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
4. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes.
6. Lower the heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese slowly, until melted and smooth. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Toss the cooked rotini into the sauce and stir to coat evenly.
8. Slice the rested chicken and serve over the creamy pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For the smoothest sauce, let the cream and cheese come to room temperature before adding to the skillet.
Always rest the chicken after cooking—5 minutes is enough to lock in the juices.
Keep some pasta water on hand. It’s perfect for adjusting the sauce consistency without thinning the flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heaping bowl (approx. 1½ cups)
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: creamy garlic butter chicken, easy dinner recipe, pasta ideas, quick weeknight meal, chicken pasta, comfort food