Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta

Imagine tender, juicy chicken bathed in a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce, served over a bed of perfectly al dente pasta coated in creamy Parmesan. This Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate comfort food that combines simple ingredients to create a restaurant-worthy meal right in your kitchen. The buttery garlic aroma fills your home with an irresistible scent that will have everyone gathering at the table before you even call for dinner. You’ll learn how to create this luxurious yet easy dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners but impressive enough for special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta is about to become your new favorite dinner for so many good reasons. First, the contrast between the golden, crispy-edged chicken and the silky, creamy pasta creates a textural symphony that’s utterly satisfying. The garlic butter sauce brings a perfect balance of richness and savory depth without being overpowering.

What makes this dish truly special is how the simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary. The butter slowly melts into the garlic, creating a fragrant base that coats each piece of chicken and strand of pasta. When the Parmesan melts into the sauce, it creates a velvety consistency that clings beautifully to the pasta.

Best of all, this impressive dish comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. The garlic pasta with chicken is a crowd-pleaser that looks and tastes like you spent much more time preparing it.

Ingredients

For the Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta, you’ll need:

• 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 8 oz (225g) fettuccine or pasta of choice
• 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, divided
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¾ cup (180ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

The star ingredients here are the butter, which creates the luscious sauce base, and the fresh garlic, which infuses the entire dish with its aromatic flavor. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting quality and flavor in your garlic chicken pasta.

Pro Tips

Use Room Temperature Chicken: Take your chicken out of the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before cooking. Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly and develops a better sear, resulting in juicier meat for your Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Overcrowding causes the chicken to steam rather than sear, robbing you of those delicious golden edges that add flavor and texture contrast to the creamy pasta.

Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining your pasta, save about ½ cup of the starchy cooking water. This magical ingredient can help thin out your sauce if it becomes too thick, while the starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta. If your garlic butter sauce needs adjusting, add a splash of this liquid gold for the perfect consistency.

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta but don’t rinse it – that starch helps the sauce stick!

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
While the pasta cooks, season your chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 4 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn it!). Add the dried Italian herbs and red pepper flakes (if using), then pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom – these add incredible flavor to your Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta.

Step 4: Create the Parmesan Sauce
Let the broth reduce for about 2 minutes, then stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 5: Combine Everything
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat every strand. Return the chicken to the pan, gently folding it into the pasta. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt into the dish, creating an extra silky finish. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 6: Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving your Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta immediately while hot and creamy.

Variations

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Version: Transform your Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta by adding ⅓ cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with the garlic. The tomatoes add a sweet-tart element that balances the richness of the sauce beautifully. For extra color and nutrition, stir in 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves just before adding the pasta back to the pan.

Lemon Herb Upgrade: For a brighter, more Mediterranean take on this garlic chicken pasta dish, add the zest and juice of one lemon to the sauce. Increase the fresh herbs by adding 1 tablespoon each of chopped fresh basil and thyme along with the parsley. This variation creates a lighter sauce that’s perfect for spring and summer meals.

Protein Swap: Not a chicken fan? This versatile recipe works wonderfully with shrimp instead. Simply substitute 1½ pounds of large shrimp (peeled and deveined) for the chicken. Cook the shrimp for just 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque – they cook much faster than chicken!

Storage and Serving

Store any leftover Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken considerably when chilled, but you can revive it when reheating by adding a splash of chicken broth or cream and gently warming over medium-low heat.

For a complete meal, serve this creamy garlic pasta with a simple side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the dish. A side of garlic bread makes an excellent accompaniment for soaking up any extra sauce – because you won’t want to waste a drop!

For an elegant presentation, serve the Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta in warmed pasta bowls, garnished with extra Parmesan shavings, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for color, and a small sprig of fresh parsley. This simple plating instantly elevates the dish for dinner guests.

FAQs

Can I use pre-grated Parmesan cheese?
While convenient, pre-grated Parmesan contains anti-caking agents that can prevent proper melting. For the creamiest Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta, freshly grated Parmesan is strongly recommended.

How can I make this dish lighter?
You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and reduce the butter by 2 tablespoons. While it won’t be quite as rich, it will still be delicious. Adding extra vegetables like spinach or broccoli also helps balance the richness.

What’s the best pasta shape for this recipe?
Fettuccine works beautifully because the flat, wide noodles hold the creamy sauce well, but any medium pasta shape like penne, rotini, or linguine works great with this garlic butter sauce.

Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, as the sauce can separate when reheated. If you need to prepare components ahead, cook the chicken and refrigerate, then make the sauce and pasta fresh before serving.

Is there a way to make this dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a good quality dairy-free butter, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and nutritional yeast or dairy-free Parmesan alternative for the cheese. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious.

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Pasta is comfort food at its finest — a harmonious blend of tender chicken and silky pasta enveloped in a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special occasion, yet remains simple enough for even novice cooks to master. Whether you’re cooking for loved ones or treating yourself to something special, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavors with minimal effort — proving that sometimes the simplest ingredients create the most memorable meals.

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