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Cheesy Garlic Rotini

Cheesy Garlic Rotini

Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rotini with Parmesan Chicken. A one-pan, 35-minute family favorite for a guaranteed quiet, happy dinner. Easy, decadent comfort food.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 lb rotini pasta
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley optional

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Chef’s knife and cutting board
  • Garlic press or fine grater
  • Box grater for cheese

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook rotini according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Drain pasta, reserving about a cup of the starchy pasta water.
  3. Pat chicken cubes dry with paper towels.
  4. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat and season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  5. Add chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  6. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  7. In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic.
  8. Stir for about 60 seconds until fragrant, then pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan.
  9. Pour in heavy cream and let simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  10. Stir in grated Parmesan and mozzarella, a handful at a time, until melted into a smooth sauce.
  11. Add cooked chicken and drained rotini to the sauce, tossing to combine.
  12. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water to loosen.
  13. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then let sit off heat for 2 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 40gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for added juiciness. Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or broccoli for extra nutrition. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of liquid to prevent drying out. Avoid freezing for best texture.
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