Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, rich garlic butter sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta.

This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner while still delivering restaurant-quality flavor. With a balance of savory garlic, creamy butter, and juicy chicken, this pasta dish is sure to be a family favorite!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large pot for boiling pasta
• Large skillet or pan
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tongs or spatula
• Colander for draining pasta

Ingredients Overview

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs provide a lean and protein-packed base.
• Garlic Butter Sauce: A combination of butter, garlic, and seasonings makes a rich and aromatic sauce.
• Pasta: Choose your favorite pasta shape, such as fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
• Salt (for boiling water)

For the Chicken

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (or pasta water)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamier sauce)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
   In a bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
   In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), stirring frequently for about 1 minute until fragrant.
   Pour in the chicken broth (or reserved pasta water) and bring to a gentle simmer. If using, add the heavy cream for a richer sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and let it melt into the sauce.
4. Combine Everything
   Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic butter sauce. If needed, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
5. Serve
   Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, ~4 servings)

• Calories: ~450
• Fat: ~20g
• Carbohydrates: ~45g
• Protein: ~30g

Expert Tips

• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Cook the chicken until just golden brown to keep it juicy.
• Reserve Pasta Water: Adding reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling to the pasta better.
• Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor—avoid pre-minced garlic for the best taste.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes! Any pasta shape works well, but long noodles like fettuccine or spaghetti absorb the sauce best.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use olive oil instead of butter and substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan. Skip the heavy cream or use coconut milk for a dairy-free option.

Storing & Freezing

• Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the sauce separately and add fresh pasta when reheating.

Substitutions & Variations

• Spicy Version: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
• Vegetable Additions: Add spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Creamy Version: Increase the heavy cream for a richer, Alfredo-style sauce.

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, rich garlic butter sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta.

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Equipment

• - Large pot for boiling pasta
• - Large skillet or pan
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• - Tongs or spatula
• - Colander for draining pasta

Ingredients

  

• #### For the Pasta
• - 8 oz pasta fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti
• - Salt for boiling water
• #### For the Chicken
• - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• - 1 teaspoon salt
• - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• - 1 tablespoon olive oil
• #### For the Garlic Butter Sauce
• - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• - 4 cloves garlic minced
• - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
• - 1/2 cup chicken broth or pasta water
• - 1/2 cup heavy cream optional, for a creamier sauce
• - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• **Cook the Pasta**
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside.
• **Cook the Chicken**
• In a bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• **Make the Garlic Butter Sauce**
• In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), stirring frequently for about 1 minute until fragrant.
• Pour in the chicken broth (or reserved pasta water) and bring to a gentle simmer. If using, add the heavy cream for a richer sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and let it melt into the sauce.
• **Combine Everything**
• Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic butter sauce. If needed, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
• **Serve**
• Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!