Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
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.
- 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.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed pepper flakes to taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and meltability.
- Thinly slicing the chicken allows for quick cooking and easy mixing with pasta.
- Reserve some pasta water to help achieve a silky sauce texture if needed.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or steamed vegetables.
Keywords: chicken pasta, garlic butter pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, garlic chicken, spaghetti recipe
Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/garlic-butter-chicken-pasta-recipe/
