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
Scale
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
- â…” 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.
