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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Rotini: The Ultimate Weeknight Comfort Meal

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Rotini: The Ultimate Weeknight Comfort Meal

This velvety, restaurant-quality pasta features juicy pan-seared chicken and tender rotini tossed in a luscious, homemade garlic cream sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 640

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 340 g rotini pasta al dente
  • 2 pieces chicken breasts rested
Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream simmered
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning dried
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • large skillet
  • tongs
  • whisk
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

Preparing the Chicken
  1. Thoroughly pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure a golden crust. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and the Italian seasoning blend.
Searing the Chicken
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Place the chicken in the pan and sear undisturbed for 6 minutes to develop a deep brown crust.
  2. Flip the breasts and continue cooking for 5 to 6 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Move the chicken to a clean plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the rotini. Drain the pasta when it is just shy of al dente, as it will finish cooking in the hot sauce.
Making the Sauce
  1. Reduce the skillet heat to medium and sauté the minced garlic in the remaining oil for 60 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the liquid to a very gentle simmer while scraping up browned bits.
  2. Whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese until the sauce is completely smooth and thickened. Taste and adjust the seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed.
Finishing the Dish
  1. Fold the drained rotini into the skillet and toss until every spiral is coated in the creamy garlic sauce. Slice the rested chicken into thin strips and arrange them over the pasta before serving with fresh parsley.

Notes

Store any remaining pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a small splash of milk or chicken broth to the bowl before microwaving to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture. This recipe is best served immediately to prevent the pasta from absorbing all of the sauce.