Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is an easy and flavorful dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce paired with perfectly cooked pasta and fresh cherry tomatoes. This creamy and savory dish is ready in 45 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (225g) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne work well)
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
Vegetables & 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 on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. This will infuse the meat with flavor before cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of 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 golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add Liquids and Cheese: Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, around 3-5 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Chicken: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Let everything simmer together for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors and warm the tomatoes.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat it evenly with the creamy garlic butter sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired for added heat. Serve immediately for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer, but long noodles like spaghetti or fettuccine work best to catch the sauce.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Adding red pepper flakes is optional but recommended for a subtle spicy kick.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
