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Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
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Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a quick, comforting weeknight meal that combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce. This elegant yet easy-to-make dish is customizable with your favorite veggies or herbs, making it a family favorite with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)

Pasta

  • 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or linguine)

Sauce

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Herbs & Seasoning

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and let rest briefly before slicing to retain juices.
  2. Boil the Pasta: While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously to blend flavors and create a smooth sauce.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce, tossing well to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  5. Add Cheese and Finish: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated. Return sliced chicken to the skillet, heating through. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly minced garlic for the best, most vibrant flavor.
  • Avoid browning the butter when making the sauce to keep it creamy and smooth.
  • Cook pasta al dente for the best texture and sauce absorption.
  • Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed.
  • Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.

Nutrition

Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, garlic sauce pasta, easy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, one-pan pasta dish

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/garlic-butter-chicken-pasta/