Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish that features tender, golden chicken tossed with pasta in a silky, savory garlic butter sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 30 minutes or less
- Made with simple pantry and fridge staples
- Ultra-comforting with a savory garlic butter sauce
- Perfectly seared chicken adds protein and flavor
- Customizable with vegetables or spice levels
- One-pan optional for easy cleanup
- Family-friendly and kid-approved
- Works with any pasta shape
- Great for leftovers and meal prep
- Delicious without being overly heavy
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces or strips)
- Pasta (spaghetti, penne, linguine, or your favorite)
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves (minced)
- Chicken broth
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Pasta water (reserved from boiling)
- Optional: red pepper flakes, lemon juice, fresh parsley, cherry tomatoes, spinach
Directions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sear chicken in a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze and simmer: Add chicken broth (and lemon juice if using) to the pan, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Combine: Return chicken and cooked pasta to the pan. Add grated Parmesan and a splash of reserved pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley, extra cheese, or chili flakes as desired.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15–20 minutes
- Total time: 25–30 minutes
Variations
- Creamy twist: Add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half for a creamy garlic butter sauce
- Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning to the chicken for heat
- Veggie boost: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, peas, or roasted cherry tomatoes
- Low-carb option: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta
- Cheesy upgrade: Add shredded mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses
Storage/reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce
- Freezing: Not recommended for best texture, but possible without the pasta (freeze sauce and chicken separately)
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of chicken?
Yes, boneless thighs work just as well and are juicier than breasts.
What pasta works best?
Any pasta works—spaghetti, penne, rotini, fettuccine, or whatever you have on hand.
Can I make this dish creamy?
Absolutely—add a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese for a richer sauce.
Do I have to use Parmesan?
No, but it adds a salty, umami depth. You can use Pecorino Romano or leave it out.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Use a bit of pasta water and Parmesan. For extra thickness, add a small amount of cornstarch slurry.
Is it spicy?
Not by default, but you can add chili flakes or cayenne for heat.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes! Great options include spinach, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or broccoli.
How do I keep the pasta from getting dry when reheating?
Add a splash of water or broth before reheating to loosen the sauce.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free butter and skip or substitute the cheese.
What should I serve with this?
A green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables make perfect sides.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a fast, flavorful, and family-friendly dinner that combines juicy chicken with tender pasta in a luscious garlic butter sauce. With endless ways to customize it and a total cook time of under 30 minutes, it’s sure to become a regular favorite in your kitchen.
PrintGarlic Butter Chicken Pasta
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender chicken pieces tossed with pasta in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. It’s an easy and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Push chicken to the side of the skillet and add minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky sauce.
- Adjust seasoning as needed and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- You can substitute chicken with shrimp or keep it vegetarian with sautéed mushrooms.
- Double the garlic if you’re a garlic lover!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg