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Garlic Butter Chicken and Rotini

Garlic Butter Chicken and Rotini

This easy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rotini recipe combines tender chicken and perfectly cooked rotini pasta in a creamy, savory garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights, offering rich creaminess, aromatic garlic, and a touch of fresh parsley. Versatile and simple, it’s ideal for beginners and can be customized to fit various dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz rotini pasta
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the rotini pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water for the sauce if necessary.
  2. Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and sauté the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Slowly pour in the cream, stirring frequently, and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained rotini. Toss everything together to coat well in the creamy garlic butter sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

  • Use fresh minced garlic for best flavor and aroma.
  • Cook chicken just until no longer pink to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
  • Simmer the cream gently to avoid curdling and develop richness.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and tastes more vibrant than pre-shredded.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken, rotini pasta, creamy pasta, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, chicken recipe, garlic sauce