Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a rich and creamy dish combining tender seared chicken breasts with fettuccine pasta coated in a luscious garlic butter and parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it offers a perfect comfort food meal with a balance of savory garlic, creamy cheese, and fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Extra parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Generously season both sides of the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let it rest before slicing it into strips.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water for adjusting sauce consistency if needed.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream, bring it to a gentle simmer, then stir in the grated parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens smoothly. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in the reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach a creamy consistency.
- Toss and Serve: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat it evenly with the garlic butter parmesan sauce. Arrange the sliced chicken on top, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra parmesan cheese if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, let it rest covered for a few minutes after cooking before slicing.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts better and delivers more robust flavor than pre-grated options.
- Optional additions: red chili flakes for heat or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
