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A close-up shot of creamy garlic chicken pasta, showing the rich texture of the garlic butter sauce clinging to the fettuccine and tender chicken slices.

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta: Your New 30-Minute Dinner Hero

This one-pan Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is the ultimate weeknight dinner, ready in under 30 minutes. Juicy chicken and pasta are tossed in a rich, silky garlic butter sauce for an easy and irresistible meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 750

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to ½-inch thickness
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 oz fettuccine or other long pasta
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.25 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's Knife

Method
 

  1. Season the thinly pounded chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, then add the uncooked fettuccine, ensuring it's submerged. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
  4. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the pan. Garnish with fresh parsley, toss to combine, and serve immediately.

Notes

Tip 1: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It melts much better than pre-shredded cheese and results in a smoother sauce.
Tip 2: Don't be afraid to add a splash more chicken broth if the pasta absorbs too much liquid while cooking.
Tip 3: For extra flavor, you can deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine before adding the chicken broth.