Description
Craving a quick, creamy, and comforting pasta dinner? This Cheesy Rotini with Garlic Parmesan Chicken is your perfect solution for an easy recipe that delivers restaurant-style results at home. Tender, juicy garlic-parmesan chicken sits atop swirls of rotini pasta drenched in rich, cheesy sauce—perfect for a quick dinner, a family favorite, or a cozy weekend meal. It’s one of the best dinner ideas to whip up when you need food ideas fast without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re after a hearty lunch or a satisfying end-of-day meal, this is one of those go-to dinner recipes you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.
Ingredients
2 cups rotini pasta
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rotini until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder or paprika.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through (6–8 minutes). Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and stir gently until it simmers. Reduce heat and mix in parmesan until the sauce becomes smooth.
6. Add cooked rotini to the sauce and stir to coat evenly. Add mozzarella and gently mix until melted.
7. Return chicken to the skillet and toss everything together or arrange the chicken on top.
8. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
9. Optional: Transfer to a baking dish and broil for 2–3 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese—pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that affect melting.
If your sauce thickens too much, use a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen it without losing creaminess.
Want a crisp cheesy top? Toss everything into a baking dish and broil for 2–3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: easy dinner, cheesy pasta, garlic chicken, quick dinner, pasta recipes