Introduction

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with a rich garlic butter sauce tossed with spaghetti. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

The dish shows a large white plate filled with two main parts: on the right side, there is a thick bundle of long, golden spaghetti noodles that look soft and are sprinkled with small green parsley pieces, thin white shreds of cheese, and tiny red chili flakes. On the left side, close to the spaghetti, are slices of grilled chicken breast, with a lightly browned, slightly crispy texture, seasoned with herbs and small green parsley bits on top. The chicken slices are arranged in a neat row, showing a juicy and tender inside. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound thinly sliced chicken breasts (about 2 medium breasts cut horizontally in half)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon thyme
3 Tablespoons olive oil
16 ounces spaghetti
5 Tablespoons butter
8 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
½ teaspoon crushed pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan, plus more for serving
Salt as needed
Fresh minced parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. Mix well to coat evenly.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water.
Step 4: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, crushed pepper flakes, and black pepper. Sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 5: Slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken back to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce.
Step 6: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. If the pasta seems dry, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach desired consistency.
Step 7: Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and adjust salt if needed. Toss again to combine.
Step 8: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh minced parsley and extra parmesan if desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the sauce before tossing in the pasta.
You can substitute chicken breasts with boneless thighs for a juicier texture.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a vegetable boost.
Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free option.
Adjust crushed pepper flakes to control the amount of heat in the dish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving for longer than necessary to keep the chicken tender.

How to Serve

A white speckled shallow bowl holds a simple dish with two main layers: the top layer is a twisted heap of pale yellow spaghetti sprinkled with reddish chili flakes, white grated cheese, and small green herb pieces, while below it is a row of thick grilled chicken breast slices with a golden-brown spiced crust and scattered green herbs. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can use penne, fettuccine, or any pasta you prefer. Cooking times may vary slightly, so follow package instructions.

Is it possible to prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can cook the chicken and pasta separately ahead of time and combine them with the sauce just before serving to keep everything fresh and flavorful.

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 133 reviews

This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breast slices tossed with spaghetti in a rich garlic butter sauce, enhanced by Parmesan cheese and aromatic herbs. It’s perfect for an easy weeknight meal that feels indulgent yet is straightforward to prepare.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 pound thinly sliced chicken breasts (about 2 medium breasts cut horizontally in half)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon thyme
3 Tablespoons olive oil

Pasta

16 ounces spaghetti

Garlic Butter Sauce

5 Tablespoons butter
8 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
½ teaspoon crushed pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan, plus more for serving
Salt as needed

Garnish

Fresh minced parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare and season the chicken: Pat the thinly sliced chicken breasts dry. In a bowl, toss the chicken with salt, black pepper, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme until evenly coated to infuse flavor.
Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
Make the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic, crushed pepper flakes, and black pepper. Sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to brown the garlic.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta. If the pasta seems dry, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce.
Add chicken and cheese: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss everything together. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and evenly distributed. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
Serve: Plate the pasta and chicken immediately. Garnish with fresh minced parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.