Description
How to make twisted pasta with honey garlic chicken and parmesan cream that brings restaurant flavors to your weeknight dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 oz twisted pasta (fusilli or rotini)
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Parmesan Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook twisted pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Sear Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Make Sauce: Add garlic to the chicken and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey, soy sauce, butter, and vinegar. Let it bubble for 2 minutes.
- Add Cream: Reduce heat to low and slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth and melted completely.
- Finish Sauce: Add Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, stirring until cheese melts. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency.
- Combine Everything: Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until pasta is well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve Hot: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese and enjoy while the sauce is still creamy and warm.
Notes
- Don’t add the cream on high heat or it will curdle and break.
- Reserve pasta water before draining; it’s essential for sauce consistency.
- Chicken thighs stay more tender than breasts in this recipe.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts much smoother than pre-grated.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of cream to restore sauce texture.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten, Soy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 28g