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A close-up shot of garlic butter chicken pasta in a skillet, showing the creamy texture of the parmesan sauce clinging to the fettuccine and chicken pieces.

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta (The Only Recipe You Need)

This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is the ultimate 30-minute weeknight dinner. Tender chicken and pasta are tossed in a rich, creamy, and decadent garlic butter parmesan sauce for a meal the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 750
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated is best
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder for seasoning chicken
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Large Pot For boiling pasta

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Whisk in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  5. Reduce heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss to combine. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired sauce consistency. Stir in fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best flavor, use freshly minced garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Save the starchy pasta water! It's the key to creating a silky smooth sauce.
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to make this a complete one-pan meal.