Description

Twisted Pasta with Honey Garlic Chicken and Parmesan Cream is a delightful and comforting dish featuring tender rotini pasta tossed in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce, topped with juicy honey garlic chicken pieces. The combination of sweet honey, savory garlic, and umami soy sauce beautifully complements the creamy pasta, making it a perfect meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz rotini pasta
Salt, to taste (for pasta water)

Chicken and Honey Garlic Sauce

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 sauce)

Parmesan Cream Sauce

1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp butter

Garnish

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

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. Set pasta aside.
Cook the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey and soy sauce, letting the sauce simmer gently for 1–2 minutes. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce. Remove from heat.
Make Parmesan Cream Sauce: Using 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 add the grated Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it to desired consistency.
Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the Parmesan cream sauce and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated.
Combine Chicken and Pasta: Spoon the honey garlic chicken over the creamy pasta or mix them together evenly, according to preference.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your flavorful meal.

Notes

Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the cream sauce and achieve the perfect consistency.
You can substitute rotini with other short pasta like penne or fusilli if preferred.
Adjust the amount of honey for sweetness to your liking.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before combining with the sauce to ensure food safety.
Garnish with fresh parsley for color and a fresh herbal note.

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

Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken, Parmesan Cream Pasta, Rotini Pasta Recipe, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Easy Weeknight Dinner