🎉 Introduction
If you love rich, creamy pasta with juicy chicken and bold garlic flavor, this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites with Creamy Rotini will instantly become one of your favorite cozy dinners. It combines tender golden chicken bites seasoned with garlic and paprika, a velvety Parmesan cream sauce, and perfectly cooked rotini that holds onto every drop of flavor.
This dish is everything comfort food should be — creamy, cheesy, buttery, garlicky, and completely satisfying. The chicken sears quickly until golden and slightly crispy thanks to a light breadcrumb coating, while fresh garlic fills the kitchen with warm aroma. The sauce comes together in minutes using butter, heavy cream, garlic, and plenty of Parmesan, creating a silky texture that coats the pasta beautifully.
It’s a fast, weeknight-friendly recipe that tastes restaurant-quality without complicated steps. Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and huge flavor — that’s why this recipe is perfect for busy nights, family meals, or anytime you want a cozy bowl of pasta.
Creamy. Garlicky. Cheesy.
An instant comfort classic.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet
- Medium pot
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Mixing bowl
- Strainer / colander
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Whisk
🛒 Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Fresh Ingredients
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Dry Seasonings
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Breadcrumbs
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini pasta
Oil & Butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Cream Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Cook the Rotini
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
Drain and set aside — reserve ½ cup pasta water.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Bites
In a mixing bowl, toss chicken chunks with:
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Panko breadcrumbs
Mix until chicken is lightly coated.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken in a single layer.
Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until:
- Golden
- Crispy
- Fully cooked through
Transfer chicken to a plate.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
In the same skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter.
Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
Add:
- Parmesan cheese
- A pinch of black pepper
Whisk until creamy and thick.
If sauce becomes too thick, add pasta water a little at a time.
Step 5: Combine
Add cooked rotini into the sauce.
Stir to coat every spiral of pasta.
Add chicken bites back into the skillet.
Mix until everything is covered in silky, creamy, garlicky Parmesan sauce.
Step 6: Serve
Serve warm with extra Parmesan and fresh black pepper on top.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: ~25–30 minutes
Fast, comforting, and incredibly delicious.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
Freezer
Not recommended — cream sauces change texture.
Reheating
- Stovetop: Add splash of milk or water, heat gently
- Microwave: 1–2 minutes, stir halfway
🥄 Variations
1. Spicy Chicken Rotini
Add red pepper flakes or cayenne to the chicken.
2. Herb Lover’s Version
Add parsley, basil, or thyme to the sauce.
3. Extra Creamy Version
Add ¼ cup cream cheese into the sauce.
4. Crunchy Chicken Upgrade
Double-coat chicken in panko for extra crispiness.
5. Veggie Boost
Mix in:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
6. Lightened-Up Version
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
7. Lemon Garlic Version
Add 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use another pasta shape?
Yes — penne, farfalle, fusilli, and rigatoni all work.
2. Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes — they stay juicier than chicken breasts.
3. Can I make it less creamy?
Use less cream or mix in chicken broth.
4. Can I use pre-grated Parmesan?
Freshly grated melts better, but pre-grated works too.
5. Can I prep the chicken ahead?
Yes — store seasoned chicken in fridge for 24 hours.
6. Why is my sauce too thick?
Add pasta water to loosen it.
7. Why is the sauce grainy?
Heat too high can separate the cheese; use medium heat.
8. Can I skip the breadcrumbs?
Yes, but they add a light crisp to the chicken.
9. Is this kid-friendly?
Very — it’s cheesy, creamy, and not spicy.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — perfect for feeding a crowd.
🏁 Conclusion
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites with Creamy Rotini recipe is everything you want in a cozy comfort meal — juicy chicken, rich garlic flavor, velvety Parmesan cream sauce, and pasta spirals that hold onto every drop of deliciousness. It’s warm, hearty, satisfying, and easy enough for any weeknight.
Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping for the week, or craving something indulgent and homemade, this dish always delivers. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and an incredibly flavorful result — this is comfort food done right.
Creamy. Cheesy. Garlicky.
The perfect pasta bowl every time.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites with Creamy Rotini – A Comforting, Cheesy, Irresistible Weeknight Meal
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
- Drain and set aside — reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- In a mixing bowl, toss chicken chunks with:
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Mix until chicken is lightly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken in a single layer.
- Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until:
- Golden
- Crispy
- Fully cooked through
- Transfer chicken to a plate.
- In the same skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
- Add:
- Parmesan cheese
- A pinch of black pepper
- Whisk until creamy and thick.
- If sauce becomes too thick, add pasta water a little at a time.
- Add cooked rotini into the sauce.
- Stir to coat every spiral of pasta.
- Add chicken bites back into the skillet.
- Mix until everything is covered in silky, creamy, garlicky Parmesan sauce.
- Serve warm with extra Parmesan and fresh black pepper on top.
Notes
Refrigerator Store in airtight containers for 3–4 days. Freezer Not recommended — cream sauces change texture. Reheating Stovetop: Add splash of milk or water, heat gently Microwave: 1–2 minutes, stir halfway 🥄 Variations
1. Spicy Chicken Rotini Add red pepper flakes or cayenne to the chicken. 2. Herb Lover’s Version Add parsley, basil, or thyme to the sauce. 3. Extra Creamy Version Add ¼ cup cream cheese into the sauce. 4. Crunchy Chicken Upgrade Double-coat chicken in panko for extra crispiness. 5. Veggie Boost Mix in: Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms 6. Lightened-Up Version Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. 7. Lemon Garlic Version Add 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use another pasta shape? Yes — penne, farfalle, fusilli, and rigatoni all work. 2. Can I use chicken thighs? Yes — they stay juicier than chicken breasts. 3. Can I make it less creamy? Use less cream or mix in chicken broth. 4. Can I use pre-grated Parmesan? Freshly grated melts better, but pre-grated works too. 5. Can I prep the chicken ahead? Yes — store seasoned chicken in fridge for 24 hours. 6. Why is my sauce too thick? Add pasta water to loosen it. 7. Why is the sauce grainy? Heat too high can separate the cheese; use medium heat. 8. Can I skip the breadcrumbs? Yes, but they add a light crisp to the chicken. 9. Is this kid-friendly? Very — it’s cheesy, creamy, and not spicy. 10. Can I double the recipe? Absolutely — perfect for feeding a crowd. 🏁 Conclusion This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites with Creamy Rotini recipe is everything you want in a cozy comfort meal — juicy chicken, rich garlic flavor, velvety Parmesan cream sauce, and pasta spirals that hold onto every drop of deliciousness. It’s warm, hearty, satisfying, and easy enough for any weeknight. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping for the week, or craving something indulgent and homemade, this dish always delivers. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and an incredibly flavorful result — this is comfort food done right. Creamy. Cheesy. Garlicky.
The perfect pasta bowl every time.
