Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender seared chicken breasts, al dente rotini pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. Finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optional spinach for a touch of greens, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that doesn’t sacrifice on taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- Salt for pasta water
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Optional
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into even cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning for balanced flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken cutlets for 5–6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Bring salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water for the sauce.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Create Sauce: Gradually add the reserved pasta water to the skillet, whisking continuously to create a smooth, cohesive garlic butter sauce.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly in the garlic butter sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Cheese: Slice the seared chicken into strips and lay it over the coated pasta. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and, if using, add the fresh spinach.
- Warm and Melt: Continue to cook gently until the Parmesan melts and the spinach wilts, approximately 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
- Serve: Garnish the dish with extra Parmesan cheese and serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Using fresh Parmesan cheese enhances flavor and melt quality.
- The reserved pasta water helps to emulsify the sauce making it creamy and smooth.
- The optional spinach adds a nutritious green element but can be omitted or substituted with kale or arugula.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked through by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of cream or milk when adding the pasta water.
