Twisted Pasta with Honey Garlic Chicken and Parmesan Cream Recipe

Introduction

This Twisted Pasta with Honey Garlic Chicken and Parmesan Cream is a deliciously comforting meal that combines savory, sweet, and creamy flavors in one bowl. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it comes together quickly and is sure to impress with its rich sauce and tender chicken.

Ingredients

• 12 oz rotini pasta
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter (divided)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Step 2: Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: Lower the heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the honey and soy sauce, letting the mixture simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat. Remove from heat.
4. Step 4: In a clean skillet or saucepan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and whisk until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
5. Step 5: Add the cooked pasta to the cream sauce and toss well to coat.
6. Step 6: Spoon the honey garlic chicken over the creamy pasta or stir it in to combine everything evenly.
7. Step 7: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier, more flavorful result.
• Swap rotini for penne or fusilli if preferred; any twisted or tubular pasta works well with the sauce.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking garlic for a subtle spicy kick.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce the butter by half.
• Freshly grate your own Parmesan for the best flavor and smoother melting.

Storage

Store leftover pasta and chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid microwaving without stirring to prevent uneven heating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the pasta and chicken ahead and store them separately. Combine and reheat with the sauce before serving for best texture and flavor.

Is there a substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a bit of melted butter as a lighter alternative, but the sauce may be less rich and creamy.

Twisted Pasta with Honey Garlic Chicken and Parmesan Cream Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.4 from 90 reviews

• Author: Sarah
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

A delicious and comforting pasta dish featuring al dente rotini tossed in a creamy Parmesan sauce, topped with honey garlic glazed chicken. This recipe balances savory, sweet, and creamy elements for a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 oz rotini pasta
• Salt, for pasta water

Honey Garlic Chicken

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp butter (for cooking chicken mixture)

Parmesan Cream Sauce

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• Reserved 1/2 cup pasta water (optional for loosening sauce)

Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• Extra Parmesan cheese (optional)

---

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the pasta aside.
2. Cook Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Prepare Honey Garlic Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey and soy sauce and let the mixture simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the honey garlic sauce. Remove from heat.
4. Make Parmesan Cream Sauce: In a clean skillet or saucepan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, use some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.
5. Toss Pasta with Cream Sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the Parmesan cream sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
6. Combine and Serve: Spoon the honey garlic chicken over the creamy pasta or stir the chicken into the pasta for a combined dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• You can substitute rotini with any short pasta like penne or fusilli.
• To make the dish lighter, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream but expect a less rich sauce.
• Reserve pasta water is important to adjust the cream sauce to the perfect consistency.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese works best for smooth melting and flavor.
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid separating the cream sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: honey garlic chicken pasta, creamy Parmesan pasta, rotini pasta recipe, easy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner