Description
Cheesy Rotini with Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a creamy, comforting pasta dinner packed with juicy chicken, bold garlic flavor, and melty cheese. This easy weeknight recipe combines rotini pasta and parmesan chicken in a rich cheese sauce for a family-friendly meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup heavy cream or milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. In a bowl, toss chicken chunks with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. In a large pot, cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Cook until fragrant, then stir in cream.
5. Add the parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella. Stir until the sauce is smooth and melted.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, tossing to coat. Use pasta water to loosen if needed.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet and gently mix into the pasta.
8. Garnish with more cheese or herbs, and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for best melt and flavor.
Reserve pasta water—it helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing chicken to ensure a good crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 125mg