Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken paired with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is a comforting and indulgent meal perfect for a family dinner. Tender, seasoned chicken breasts are sautéed to golden perfection, then combined with a rich and velvety garlic Parmesan sauce that coats perfectly cooked twisted pasta and fresh spinach. This dish melds creamy, cheesy flavors with a touch of fresh spinach for balance, creating a hearty yet elegant plate in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Pasta
- 12 oz twisted pasta (fusilli or cavatappi)
- 1 cup reserved pasta water (optional)
- Salt, for pasta water
Sauce
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the twisted pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- Season and cook the chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and allow to rest before slicing into strips.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add some reserved pasta water gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
- Add spinach: Toss in the fresh spinach leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted and tender, incorporating it into the creamy sauce.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the pasta and chicken are well-coated in the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve: Plate the creamy garlic Parmesan chicken alongside the cheesy twisted pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious, comforting meal!
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt levels in the dish.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half of the heavy cream with milk, but the sauce may be less thick and rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated cheese, enhancing the sauce texture.
- Adding fresh herbs like parsley or basil as garnish adds a burst of freshness.
- Reserve the pasta water carefully; its starch content helps in thinning the sauce without losing flavor.
