This creamy garlic butter chicken with Parmesan rotini is a one-skillet dinner that brings together comforting, indulgent flavors with weeknight convenience. Featuring tender chicken, a rich garlic cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, it’s a dish that feels fancy but comes together in just 35 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Done in 35 minutes start to finish.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples come together for a gourmet result.
- Rich and Creamy: A luscious garlic-Parmesan sauce coats every bite.
- One-Pan Wonder: Less cleanup, more flavor.
I created this recipe during a last-minute dinner with friends, and the smell of garlic butter had everyone hooked before the first bite. It’s now one of my most-requested dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 4 tbsp butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sear chicken until golden and fully cooked (about 6–8 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Make Garlic Butter Base: In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan. Stir in heavy cream and let simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add Cheese: Lower the heat and slowly add Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Combine: Return chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss everything to coat in sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve: Cook for another 2–3 minutes until heated through. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.