Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken, aromatic garlic, and rich butter with pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly meal is perfect for busy weeknights and easily customizable with various veggies, spices, and pasta types.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free pasta)
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Sauce
- 3–4 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Cook the Chicken: Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper. In a hot pan, sauté chicken in 1 tablespoon butter until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, avoiding browning. Pour in heavy cream and whisk to combine. Let simmer gently to thicken.
- Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Toss over low heat, gradually adding reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is achieved. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve Immediately: Plate the Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta while hot. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs for the best presentation.
Notes
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best aromatic flavor.
- Do not overcook chicken; cook just until done to keep it juicy.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and achieve a silky texture.
- Choose high-quality unsalted butter for better flavor control.
- Season gradually and taste throughout cooking for balanced flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner recipe, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, garlic pasta, chicken dinner