Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a delightfully easy and flavorful dinner recipe that combines tender chicken breasts with a creamy garlic butter sauce, pasta, and fresh cherry tomatoes. This comforting one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 oz (225g) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs or 680g)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Add-ins and Garnish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. This ensures the chicken is flavorful.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: While chicken cooks, prepare pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add the unsalted butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring gently. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Incorporate Parmesan and Tomatoes: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes to soften slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta, tossing gently to coat everything evenly in the creamy garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top and add red pepper flakes for an optional spicy kick. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Using chicken breasts ensures tender meat, but you can substitute with thighs for a juicier option.
- Choice of pasta is flexible; long noodles like spaghetti or fettuccine work best to hold the creamy sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but sauce will be less rich.
- Red pepper flakes can be omitted or added according to your heat preference.
- Freshly grate Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days.
