🍗🧄 Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Rotini in Parmesan Sauce
🍽️ Serves: 4–6
⏱️ Total Time: ~35–40 minutes
🧂 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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½ tsp paprika (optional)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp butter
For the Pasta:
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12 oz rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
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Salted water (for boiling)
For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
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3 tbsp butter
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5–6 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour
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1½ cups chicken broth
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1 cup heavy cream
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¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
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Salt & pepper to taste
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Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
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Optional: 1 cup baby spinach or chopped parsley for color
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Cook rotini until al dente, according to package instructions.
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Drain and set aside (reserve ½ cup pasta water if you want to loosen the sauce later).
2. Cook the Chicken:
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Season chicken with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
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Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Sear chicken pieces for 4–6 minutes, turning to brown all sides and cook through.
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Remove and set aside.
3. Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
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In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add 3 tbsp butter.
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Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
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Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
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Slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream until smooth.
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Bring to a simmer and stir until slightly thickened (about 3–5 minutes).
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Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
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Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
4. Combine & Finish:
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Return cooked chicken to the pan and simmer for 2–3 minutes in the sauce.
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Add cooked rotini and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, if sauce is too thick.
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Optional: Stir in spinach or parsley and cook just until wilted.
🍽️ Serve:
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Garnish with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley or cracked black pepper.
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Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad.
📝 Tips:
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For extra richness, add a spoonful of cream cheese to the sauce.
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Swap chicken for shrimp or Italian sausage for variety.
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This reheats well! Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to loosen the sauce.
Let me know if you want a baked version, a one-pot version, or how to make it gluten-free!
