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An extreme close-up of creamy chicken pasta, showing the texture of the garlic butter sauce clinging to the noodles and chicken pieces.

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate 30-Minute Recipe

This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is an easy, 30-minute meal featuring tender chicken and pasta in a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a quick and impressive weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 785
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb linguine or fettuccine
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, or use chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp salt to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Large Pot

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium, add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the white wine or broth, scraping the bottom of the pan. Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
  5. Reduce heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  6. Return the chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Stir in fresh parsley, season to taste, and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese as it melts better than pre-shredded varieties.
Don't be afraid to use the starchy pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency; it's a key ingredient for a perfect sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.