What You’ll Need: The Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne work great!)
- 6 tbsp butter, unsalted
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for a little heat
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
- In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece is nicely coated with the spices. This step is key for maximum flavor!
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until fully cooked and lightly browned. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Overcrowding can steam the chicken instead of searing it, resulting in less flavor and a less desirable texture. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
- While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. This starchy water is liquid gold; it helps create a creamy sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet you used to cook the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let it reduce slightly for a minute or two.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
- Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and parsley. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Perfection
This recipe is incredibly versatile, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat. You can also use a dash of hot sauce.
- Add veggies: Sauté some vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes before adding the garlic to the sauce.
- Cheese, please!: Feel free to use other cheeses like mozzarella or Asiago in addition to Parmesan.
- Make it creamy: For an extra creamy sauce, add a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.
- Lemon Zest: Adding a little lemon zest to the sauce adds a lovely brightness.
Troubleshooting: Common Issues and Solutions
Even the best cooks encounter hiccups! Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
- Sauce is too thick: Add a little reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Sauce is too thin: Simmer the sauce for a few more minutes to allow it to reduce and thicken.
- Chicken is dry: Be sure not to overcook the chicken. Cooking it in batches helps prevent it from drying out. You can also add a little extra chicken broth to the sauce to keep the chicken moist.
- Garlic is burnt: Start over! Burnt garlic is bitter and will ruin the flavor of the entire dish. Keep the heat at medium and watch the garlic carefully.
Variations to Explore
Looking to put a spin on this classic dish? Here are some fun variations to try:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Substitute the chicken with shrimp for a seafood twist.
- Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta: Add lemon zest and juice to the sauce for a bright and tangy flavor.
- Spicy Garlic Butter Pasta: Add red pepper flakes and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a fiery kick.
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta: Stir in a spoonful of pesto into the sauce for a herby and vibrant flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of side dishes:
- Garlic bread
- A simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Caprese salad
More Delicious Chicken Pasta Recipes to Try
If you love this Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta, you might also enjoy these other fantastic chicken pasta recipes:
- Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps – a quick and easy lunch or dinner option.
- Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken And Potatoes – a set-it-and-forget-it meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- Chicken Scampi Pasta – a light and flavorful dish with a hint of lemon.
- Garlic Tomato Pasta – a creamy and vibrant pasta dish with a rich tomato sauce.
- Chicken Rigatoni Recipe – a hearty and satisfying pasta bake with a creamy sauce.
- Tomato Chicken Pasta – Another great option that combines chicken and tomato flavors for a wonderful easy meal.
- Parmesan Garlic Pasta – a super simple yet satisfying dish that’s ready in minutes.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave until heated through, or warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if needed to prevent drying out.
Final Thoughts: Your New Go-To Pasta Dish
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is truly a winner! It’s easy to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. Once you try it, I know you’ll be adding it to your regular rotation. Happy cooking!
What types of pasta work best with this garlic butter chicken recipe?
Spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne are all good choices for this recipe.
What can I do if my garlic butter sauce becomes too thick?
Add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Can I add vegetables to this garlic butter chicken pasta recipe?
Yes, you can! The recipe suggests sautéing vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes before adding the garlic to the sauce.
How long can I store leftover garlic butter chicken pasta?
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Irresistible
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In the same skillet you used to cook the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let it reduce slightly for a minute or two.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Notes
For an extra creamy sauce, add a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream. Add a little lemon zest to the sauce for a lovely brightness. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if needed.
