If you’re craving a dish that’s comforting, rich, and packed with flavor, this Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe is your new best friend. It’s a beautiful harmony of tender chicken tossed in a luscious garlic butter sauce that perfectly coats every strand of spaghetti. With just the right amount of cheese and seasonings, this dish comes together quickly, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that feels gourmet without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind the Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe lies in its simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a key role in building layers of flavor, texture, and that irresistible aroma you’ll fall in love with.
- Thinly sliced chicken breasts: Cooks quickly and stays tender, absorbing all those tasty seasonings.
- Spaghetti: The perfect pasta to soak up the garlic butter sauce evenly.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create the silky sauce that ties everything together.
- Minced garlic: The star flavor—fragrant, sharp, and essential for the dish’s signature taste.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty finish that melts into the sauce beautifully.
- Olive oil: For searing the chicken to golden perfection without sticking.
- Salt and pepper: Basics that bring out natural flavors and provide balance.
- Paprika: Offers a subtle smoky warmth, elevating the taste profile slightly.
- Thyme: A fragrant herb that complements the chicken and garlic wonderfully.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
Start by slicing your chicken breasts thinly for quick, even cooking. Mince the garlic finely so it can release maximum flavor during sautéing. Getting these basics done sets you up for a smooth cooking process.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Be sure to save about half a cup of the pasta water before draining—this starchy water will help achieve a silky sauce in later steps.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season your sliced chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme, then cook until it’s golden brown—around 5 to 7 minutes. This step locks in the flavors and texture, so don’t rush it. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 4: Sauté the Garlic in Butter
In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic gently until it becomes fragrant—this should take just 1 to 2 minutes. Keep an eye so the garlic doesn’t burn, as that can introduce bitterness. Afterward, add the chicken back into the skillet to warm through in all that garlicky butter goodness.
Step 5: Combine and Create the Sauce
Return the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the chicken and garlic butter. Slowly pour in the reserved pasta water, stirring constantly to loosen and bind the sauce. Finally, sprinkle in freshly grated parmesan cheese and toss everything until it melts and coats the pasta in a creamy embrace.
Step 6: Final Touch and Serve
Once everything is combined and deliciously saucy, your dish is ready for plating. If you’d like, toss on some fresh parsley for a vibrant pop of color and freshness right before serving. Now dig in while everything is warm and heavenly!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley or basil leaves add a burst of color and freshness to the Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe. A sprinkle of additional parmesan or even a pinch of chili flakes can take the presentation and flavor to the next level, inviting your guests to savor every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair this dish with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables to complement the richness of the pasta. Garlic bread or a warm baguette also works wonderfully to soak up any leftover buttery sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your pasta in a shallow bowl to emphasize the sauciness, or arrange it on a large platter topped with vibrant herbs and cheese shavings for a family-style meal. For a fun twist, a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts adds a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully here.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors may even deepen overnight, making your second meal just as tasty.
Freezing
While this Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe is best fresh, you can freeze leftovers by placing them in a freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that texture might change slightly upon thawing, but it will still be delicious within 1 month.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at medium power to avoid drying out the chicken and pasta. Adding a splash of cream or water during reheating helps revive the sauce’s creamy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While spaghetti works perfectly here, feel free to use fettuccine, linguine, or even penne. Just keep in mind that different shapes might hold the sauce differently, but it will always be delicious.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative and use a vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. The garlic and chicken combination still shines brightly without traditional dairy.
How can I add more vegetables to this dish?
Great question! Adding spinach, cherry tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms during the final steps can boost nutrition and add wonderful textures. Just toss them in with the pasta and chicken before serving.
What’s the best way to mince garlic for this recipe?
Use a sharp knife to finely chop the garlic or a garlic press for convenience. The finer the garlic, the more flavor it releases quickly when sautéed in butter.
Can I prepare the chicken in advance?
You sure can! Season and cook the chicken ahead of time, then refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the dish. Just reheat it briefly with the garlic butter sauce to keep it tender and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe is truly a kitchen treasure, striking the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity. It’s a crowd-pleaser that you’ll want to make again and again. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to this unforgettable meal. You’ll be glad you did!
Print
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta recipe combines tender, golden-browned chicken with a rich garlic butter sauce, tossed harmoniously with al dente spaghetti and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a flavorful, comforting dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound thinly sliced chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
- Thyme, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking
Pasta
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water (from spaghetti)
Sauce
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅔ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Slice the chicken breasts into thin pieces and mince the garlic cloves thoroughly to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the sliced chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic in butter: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the garlic butter sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with chicken and garlic butter. Pour in the reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a creamy sauce. Mix thoroughly and then stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help create a silky sauce that clings to pasta.
- Adjust garlic quantity to taste for a milder or stronger flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and parmesan with vegan alternatives.
- You can add vegetables like spinach or cherry tomatoes for extra nutrition and color.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor; pre-grated cheese may not melt as well.
- Cook chicken pieces evenly in a single layer to ensure proper browning.
