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Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce

DeShawn Mitchell
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce is a comforting, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, twisty rotini pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce topped with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a cozy night in or a quick weeknight dinner, this crowd-pleaser combines simplicity with indulgent taste.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 700 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 1.5-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1/2 inch thick, seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil for cooking the chicken

Pasta

  • 16 ounces rotini pasta cooked al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 4-6 cloves garlic minced, fresh
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • salt, pepper, red pepper flakes to taste, red pepper flakes optional
  • fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Chicken

  • Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Remove from skillet and set aside, tenting with foil to keep warm.

Cook the Rotini

  • Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the rotini and cook according to package directions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside. Toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking if needed.

Make the Creamy Sauce

  • In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.

Combine and Serve

  • Add the cooked rotini to the sauce and toss to coat. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the pasta and sauce. Simmer for a few minutes to meld flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

This dish is versatile—add vegetables like spinach or broccoli, or swap rotini for penne or fusilli. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat with a splash of milk or cream to maintain creaminess.
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