Chicken Garlic Butter Pasta is made with tender chicken, garlic, butter, and a variety of other ingredients that come together to create a rich and creamy sauce that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Simple, flavorful quick chicken dinner recipe that is quick & easy to make!
If you are looking for an easy 30-minute dinner recipe then look no further! Garlic butter pasta is made with a few ingredients and minutes of prep, serve it up as a quick dinner option or as a sensational meal for a family gathering.
Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken
This garlic butter noodles with chicken is actually a recipe inspired by another one of our recipes- Easy Garlic Butter Pasta. It has been a favorite meal of ours for years and adding a little chicken to the plate really helps to make it feel like a full mealtime experience but without adding too much extra work. A perfect meal for any night of the week or when hosting a large gathering, pasta is a popular choice when feeding large crowds of people.
One of the reasons why Garlic Butter Pasta is so popular is because it is a comfort food. The combination of butter, garlic, and chicken creates a rich and flavorful sauce that is satisfying and delicious. It is a dish that can be enjoyed on a cold winter night or as a quick and easy meal during the week. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy meal or a comforting dinner, Chicken Butter Pasta is a satisfying option.
Why you’ll love this Easy Pasta & Chicken recipe!
- Easy to make: This recipe requires only a few ingredients and can be made in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a quick and easy meal.
- Customizable: You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by adding in your favorite vegetables or protein. You can also adjust the amount of garlic and butter to your taste.
- Kid-friendly: This recipe is great for picky eaters. Kids love pasta, and the mild flavors of this dish make it a hit with even the pickiest eaters.
Chicken Butter Garlic Pasta Ingredients
Chicken breasts: You will need two 6-ounce sized boneless skinless chicken breasts that have been trimmed of fat.
Spaghetti pasta: Use 8 ounces of dried spaghetti noodles, this is roughly what you get from half of a box.
Garlic: Add 3-4 cloves of minced garlic to make this dish well flavored, each clove is roughly 1 tsp. So if you are using pre-minced garlic use 3-4 tsp.
Butter: Using 6 TBSP of butter will give this dish a lovely rich flavor. The butter will be divided throughout the steps.
Parmesan cheese: Adding ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese will make this recipe taste incredible.
Parsley: For a light, fresh taste, use ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley.
Salt: Use ½ tsp. of salt to help enhance the flavors of this pasta.
Pepper: You only need ¼ tsp. of ground black pepper to give great flavor to this dish.
How to make Chicken Garlic Butter Pasta
Prep
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Then, add in the spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain the noodles and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Set pasta and water aside.
Cook chicken
Next, in a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 3 TBSP of butter.
Once melted, add your chicken breasts, and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes on each side and then add in the minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on each side until the chicken registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read cooking thermometer.
Then, remove the chicken from the skillet and slice it thinly and into bite sized pieces. Set it aside.
Pasta sauce
Coming back to the pasta, put the pasta into the skillet the chicken cooked in, along with the ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss to coat.
Then, add in the remaining 3 TBSP of butter and continue to toss and coat the pasta well.
Season to taste by adding more salt and pepper as desired.
Assemble
Remove the skillet from the heat and add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Toss until combined.
Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl and top with your cooked chicken and extra grated parmesan cheese.
Serve warm and enjoy.
What goes well with Butter Garlic Chicken Pasta?
After preparing the delicious Chicken Garlic Butter Pasta, it’s time to think about how to serve it. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most out of this dish:
Garnish with fresh herbs: To add a pop of color and flavor to the pasta, garnish it with fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or chives. Chop the herbs finely and sprinkle them on top of the pasta before serving.
Serve with garlic bread: Garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to this pasta dish. Slice a baguette, brush with garlic butter, and toast until crispy. Or try this cheesy garlic bread recipe & serve alongside the pasta for a complete meal.
Pair with a side salad: A side salad is a great way to balance out the richness of the pasta. Toss together some mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber with a simple vinaigrette dressing. Give this Lemon Caesar Salad a try even!
Add some spice: For those who like a little heat, add some red pepper flakes to the pasta before serving. This will give it a nice kick and balance out the creaminess of the sauce.
CHICKEN GARLIC BUTTER PASTA
Ingredients
- 12 oz chicken breasts two 6 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 6 TBSP butter divided
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ cup parsley finely, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Then, add in the spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain the noodles and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Set aside.
- Cook chicken: Next, in a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add your chicken breasts and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
- Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes on each side and then add in the minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on each side until the chicken registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read cooking thermometer.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice it thinly and into bite sized pieces. Set aside.
- Pasta sauce: Transfer the pasta into the skillet, along with ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss to coat. Then, add in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and continue to toss and coat the pasta well. Season to taste by adding more salt and pepper as desired.
- Assemble: Remove the skillet from the heat and add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Toss until combined.
- Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl and top with your cooked chicken and extra grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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How long is garlic butter spaghetti and chicken good for?
You can keep the leftovers from this recipe stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. This is just long enough to enjoy the left overs again for dinner or a to-go lunch!
How to reheat garlic butter chicken pasta?
To reheat this pasta recipe you will want to add water or butter to help rehydrate the sauce and noodles. As the noodles will have absorbed the sauce as it chilled, making the noodles feel a bit drier. If you are reheating a single serving of pasta in the microwave, add a few dollops of butter on top as it reheats. For larger portions, you can add the pasta and a few tablespoons of water to a large skillet or pot and cook until evenly heated.
What are side dishes to serve with chicken butter pasta?
There are many great side dishes that pair well with chicken garlic butter pasta. Some popular options include a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or a side of steamed broccoli. You can also try serving the pasta with a side of roasted potatoes or a creamy tomato soup for a heartier meal.
What are some healthy variations of garlic chicken pasta?
If you’re looking for a healthier version of garlic chicken pasta, there are a few things you can do to lighten it up. You can use whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta to add more fiber, and you can also add vegetables to the dish, such as spinach, kale, or bell peppers.
Tips for adding garlic to pasta without making it overpowering
Garlic can easily overpower a dish if you use too much of it. To avoid this, you can start by using a smaller amount of garlic and gradually increase it until you reach the desired flavor. You can also try roasting the garlic before adding it to the pasta, which will give it a milder, sweeter flavor. Another option is to use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, which will give you a more subtle garlic flavor.
For more delicious pasta recipes check out these tasty suggestions
- CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
- CREAMY LEMON CHICKEN PASTA
- EASY CHICKEN MANICOTTI
- PIZZA PASTA SALAD
- PASTA W/ GARLIC ROASTED VEGETABLES & CREAM SAUCE
- PASTA CAPRESE
- MEXICAN CHICKEN ALFREDO PASTA BAKE
- GRILLED ITALIAN CHICKEN & PASTA
- SAUSAGE PEPPER PASTA
- SPINACH CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
- FIESTA RANCH CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
- MARTHA’S ONE-PAN PASTA
Chicken Garlic Butter Pasta is a delicious meal that the whole family can agree on! Made with spaghetti noodles, chicken, garlic, and parmesan cheese this quick chicken dinner recipe that is easy to prepare.
Lisa says
If the recipe asks you to reserve 1 cup of the pasta water but you only use 1/4 cup of it later on in the recipe, why are we reserving a full cup? Maybe I missed something?
Nicole says
You reserve a full cup because it is better to have more than enough than to not have enough. If after adding in 1/4 cup of water you notice that you would still like more, the rest of the water is right there and ready to go. Add in more and adjust to suit your tastes.