Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Indulge in this creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta, a comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s an easy and satisfying dinner option that’s sure to delight your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225g) pasta of your choice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs or 680g)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add about a tablespoon of salt to enhance the pasta’s flavor.
2. Step 2: Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Step 3: Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
4. Step 4: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
5. Step 5: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
6. Step 6: Cook the chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C).
7. Step 7: Remove the chicken from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips or bite-sized pieces.
8. Step 8: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Let it melt and bubble, scraping up any browned bits.
9. Step 9: Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
10. Step 10: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
11. Step 11: Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
12. Step 12: Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Add reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
13. Step 13: Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
14. Step 14: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated in the sauce.
15. Step 15: Gently fold in the sliced chicken.
16. Step 16: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes.
17. Step 17: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute chicken with shrimp or vegetables for a different twist.
• Marinate the chicken in Italian dressing before cooking for extra flavor.
• Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, this recipe works well with spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, or any pasta you prefer.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can cook the chicken and pasta ahead, then prepare the sauce and combine everything just before serving for best results.

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 68 reviews

• Author: Cleo
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4–6 people 1x

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Description

This creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta features tender, seasoned chicken breasts, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, flavorful garlic butter sauce enriched with Parmesan and cherry tomatoes. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner that impresses with its harmonious blend of savory and creamy textures.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 oz (225g) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)

Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs or 680g)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

1. Boil Water. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, adding about a tablespoon of salt to enhance the pasta’s flavor.
2. Cook the Pasta. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
3. Reserve Pasta Water. Before draining, save about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to use later for adjusting the sauce consistency.
4. Drain and Set Aside. Drain the pasta and toss it with a little olive oil to avoid sticking, then set aside.
5. Season the Chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry, then season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning evenly.
6. Heat the Oil. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
7. Cook the Chicken. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C).
8. Remove and Rest. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices.
9. Slice the Chicken. Cut the rested chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces for mixing into the pasta.
10. Melt the Butter. Reduce heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits left from the chicken for extra flavor.
11. Add Garlic. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
12. Pour in Chicken Broth. Add the chicken broth to the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer to combine flavors.
13. Add Heavy Cream. Stir in the heavy cream and continue simmering for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
14. Incorporate Parmesan. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy; add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
15. Add Cherry Tomatoes. Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften and release some juice into the sauce.
16. Add the Pasta. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the noodles in the garlic butter sauce.
17. Mix in Chicken. Gently fold the sliced chicken into the pasta and sauce ensuring even distribution.
18. Adjust Seasoning. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optionally red pepper flakes for some heat.
19. Garnish and Serve. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken with shrimp or vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for a different variation.
• Marinating the chicken ahead in Italian dressing enhances the flavor and tenderness.
• Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to maintain sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner recipe, one skillet pasta, chicken pasta recipe