Description
Discover a quick, creamy garlic butter chicken pasta recipe that serves four. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines tender chicken, buttery garlic sauce, and al dente pasta for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 2 boneless
- skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb/450 g)
- sliced into bite‑size strips
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic
- minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup low‑sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- chopped (optional for garnish)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a hint of heat)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8–10 minutes.
- Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.,Season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil.
- In a large skillet over medium‑high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add the chicken and sauté for 5–6 minutes, turning once, until the pieces are golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.,Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet.
- Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant—be careful not to let it brown.,Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Let the broth reduce by half, about 2–3 minutes.
- Then stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.,Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.,Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it with the sauce.
- Add the drained pasta and toss everything together, ensuring each strand is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.,Serve the garlic butter chicken pasta hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
- Pair with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Feel free to add spinach
- mushrooms
- or cherry tomatoes for extra vegetables. For a gluten‑free version
- use gluten‑free pasta or zucchini noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
Keywords: garlic butter chicken pasta, chicken pasta recipes, creamy pasta dishes, garlic butter sauce, quick dinner ideas, family pasta meals