Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and easy-to-make dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, tossed with pasta, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. This creamy and comforting dish comes together in about 45 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (225g) pasta of your choice
Chicken
- 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
Additional
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to infuse flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Cheese: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for another 2 minutes to soften while keeping their shape.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips and add them back into the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and red pepper flakes over the pasta for a fresh and slightly spicy finish. Serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Adjust the heavy cream amount for a thicker or thinner sauce according to preference.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice kick if you like a bit of heat.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor and melting quality.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid overcooking when mixed with the sauce.
