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Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4 from 30 reviews

A quick and flavorful Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta recipe that combines tender, seasoned chicken breast with perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, finished with parmesan cheese and a hint of crushed pepper flakes for a comforting and delicious meal in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 1 pound thinly sliced chicken breasts (about 2 medium breasts cut horizontally in half)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)

Pasta:

  • 16 ounces spaghetti
  • Salt for pasta water

Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • 5 Tablespoons butter
  • 8 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Fresh minced parsley for garnish (optional)
  • Reserved pasta cooking water (about 1 cup)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve one cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Drain pasta using a colander and set aside.
  2. Prepare Chicken: Bring chicken breasts to room temperature for about an hour for even cooking. Pat dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, thyme, and paprika. Rub one tablespoon of olive oil on both sides.
  3. Cook Chicken: Heat remaining two tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken slices and cook for 3 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165℉. Transfer chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
  4. Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed pepper flakes, stirring for 30 seconds to release aromas without burning. Add black pepper and half of the reserved pasta water, stirring well and bringing to a gentle simmer.
  5. Toss Pasta: Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet and thoroughly toss to combine with the garlic butter sauce. Stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese, tossing to evenly coat. Add more reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust salt as necessary.
  6. Serve: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and arrange them over the garlic butter pasta. Garnish with extra shredded parmesan cheese and fresh minced parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Bringing chicken to room temperature before cooking ensures even cooking and juicier meat.
  • Be careful not to burn garlic in the butter sauce, cook just until fragrant.
  • Reserve pasta water helps to thin out and bind the sauce with pasta perfectly.
  • You can substitute spaghetti with other long pasta like linguine or fettuccine.
  • Adjust crushed pepper flakes to desired spice level or omit for a milder dish.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/garlic-butter-chicken-pasta-recipe/