Why Make This Recipe
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken with the rich flavors of garlic and butter, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a simple and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, yet it feels special enough for a weekend gathering. With minimal ingredients and quick preparation, you’ll have a delicious and hearty meal on the table in no time!
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
Making Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is straightforward. Just follow these easy steps for a savory dish that will impress everyone.
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)
Directions:
Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking the spaghetti according to the package directions in a large pot of salted water. Once cooked, reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the chicken with salt, black pepper, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme until well-coated.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Garlic Butter: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and crushed pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not burnt.
Combine Everything: Add the cooked spaghetti and chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky sauce. Season with additional salt and black pepper as needed.
Finish and Serve: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until well combined. Serve warm, garnished with more parmesan and fresh minced parsley if desired.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta hot, straight from the skillet. It pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables. Feel free to add extra parmesan cheese on top for an even richer flavor!
How to Store Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
Leftovers of Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent the pasta from drying out.
Tips to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Alternatives: You can use other proteins like shrimp or tofu instead of chicken if you prefer.
- Extra Veggies: Add spinach or cherry tomatoes for more color and nutrition.
- Adjust the Spice: If you like it spicy, increase the crushed pepper flakes to suit your taste.
Variation
Feel free to customize Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta by adding other herbs like basil or oregano. You could also switch the pasta type to whole wheat or gluten-free to cater to dietary needs.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure to thaw it completely before cooking for even cooking.
Q: What can I substitute for parmesan cheese?
A: If you don’t have parmesan, you can use pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
Q: Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
A: While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead and store them separately, then combine them with cooked pasta right before serving.
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A delightful dish that combines tender chicken with rich flavors of garlic and butter, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti.
Ingredients
- 1 pound thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 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
- ⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan, plus more for serving
- Salt as needed
- Fresh minced parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions in a large pot of salted water. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken by mixing it in a bowl with salt, black pepper, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme until well-coated.
- Cook the chicken in a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Make the garlic butter by adding butter to the same skillet, reducing the heat to medium. Once melted, add minced garlic and crushed pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Combine everything by adding the cooked spaghetti and chicken back to the skillet. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water gradually to create a silky sauce. Season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Finish by stirring in grated parmesan cheese until combined. Serve warm, garnished with extra parmesan and fresh minced parsley if desired.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, garlic sauce, quick dinner, family meal
