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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta

Tender golden chicken breast pieces smothered in rich garlic parmesan cream sauce, served over perfectly cooked twisted pasta for the ultimate comfort food dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 785

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning divided
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 oz twisted pasta fusilli or rotini
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 6 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • Additional Parmesan cheese for serving

Equipment

  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Large pot for pasta
  • Meat mallet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil and cook the twisted pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
  2. While pasta cooks, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 3/4 inch using a meat mallet, then pat completely dry with paper towels.
  3. Season both sides of chicken generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and half of the Italian seasoning, pressing seasonings into the meat.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then carefully add chicken breasts and sear for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Remove cooked chicken from skillet and transfer to a cutting board, tenting loosely with foil to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
  6. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
  7. Add minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  8. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly.
  9. Add grated Parmesan cheese in three additions, stirring well after each addition until cheese melts completely and sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  10. Stir in remaining Italian seasoning and season sauce with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
  11. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly with tongs until every piece is evenly coated with the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
  12. Slice rested chicken breasts diagonally into thick pieces, arrange over the pasta, garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan, then serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated. The sauce thickens as it cools, so add reserved pasta water to loosen if needed. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk to restore sauce consistency.