Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a deliciously easy dinner recipe that combines tender chicken, flavorful garlic butter sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s ideal for a quick weeknight dinner with a touch of Italian-American flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine pasta
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
To Serve
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti or linguine according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and allow the mixture to simmer for 2 minutes, reducing slightly and blending the flavors.
- Toss Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley until evenly combined. Serve the pasta warm with lemon wedges on the side for a zesty finish.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream to the sauce during the simmer step.
- This recipe can be easily adapted using shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood variation.
- Reserve some pasta water carefully as it helps to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Add additional red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier dish.
