Twisted Pasta with Honey Garlic Chicken and Parmesan Cream
A cozy, creamy pasta dish featuring spiral pasta tossed with honey-garlic chicken and a silky Parmesan cream sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12–16 oz spiral pasta (fusilli or rotini)
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces Boneless skinless thighs can replace breasts for juicier chicken.
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil (or a mix of oil and butter)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced Toast lightly; don't brown.
- 2–3 tbsp honey Use mild clover or wildflower honey.
For the Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream Swap for half-and-half thinned with a tablespoon of butter for a lighter sauce.
- 3/4 – 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Not pre-grated for best melt.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) For brightness and color.
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spiral pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
Cooking the Chicken
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add diced chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until pieces are cooked through and lightly golden, about 6–8 minutes depending on size.
- Reduce heat to low and drizzle the honey over the chicken. Stir and cook 1–2 minutes until the honey becomes sticky and glossy and coats the pieces. Remove from heat and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In a separate saucepan over low-medium heat, pour in the heavy cream and warm gently. Whisk in the grated Parmesan a little at a time until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. If it gets too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
Combining
- Add the cooked pasta to the Parmesan cream and toss until evenly coated. Fold in the honey-garlic chicken so the glaze and sauce mingle while maintaining the chicken's sticky finish.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley if using. Serve warm.
Notes
Best enjoyed in wide shallow bowls topped with extra Parmesan. Pair with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a full meal. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.