Get ready to fall in love with your new weeknight dinner hero: this incredible Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta. Forget complicated recipes and long cooking times. This dish delivers a restaurant-quality experience in just 30 minutes, using simple ingredients you probably already have. It’s creamy, savory, and packed with flavor that the whole family will adore.
We’ve crafted this recipe to be as straightforward as possible without sacrificing taste. The magic is in the sauce—a luscious combination of butter, garlic, a hint of white wine, and rich Parmesan cheese that perfectly coats every piece of chicken and pasta. It’s the kind of comforting meal that makes any evening feel special. For another amazing chicken dish, you might also love our Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet.
Why This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe is a Winner
You’re going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why it will become a staple in your meal rotation.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in 30 minutes. It’s perfectly designed for busy weeknights when you need something delicious on the table fast.
- Simple Ingredients: No need for a special trip to the store. This recipe uses pantry staples to create a truly spectacular dish.
- Incredible Flavor: The garlic butter sauce is the star. It’s rich, savory, and utterly addictive. Every bite is a perfect harmony of flavors.
- Family-Friendly: This is a certified crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults alike will be asking for a second helping of this comforting pasta dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple, high-quality ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Chicken and Pasta:
- Chicken Breast: Two boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Pasta: 8 ounces of your favorite pasta. Fettuccine, linguine, or penne work beautifully.
- Olive Oil: Just a tablespoon for searing the chicken.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To season the chicken and the final dish.
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- Unsalted Butter: The base of our rich sauce.
- Garlic: 4-6 cloves, minced. Don’t be shy with the garlic!
- Dry White Wine: A splash of something like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to deglaze the pan. You can substitute with chicken broth.
- Chicken Broth: Adds depth and flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: This gives the sauce its wonderfully creamy texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is always best for melting and flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for a touch of freshness and color.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For a little bit of heat.
If you’re a fan of creamy pasta dishes, our Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta (coming soon) is another must-try recipe.
How to Make The Best Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
Follow these simple steps to create a perfect pasta dinner. It’s all about building layers of flavor in the same pan.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by cooking your pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. This is a key ingredient for perfecting the sauce later.
Step 2: Prepare and Cook the Chicken
While the pasta is cooking, pat the chicken breast cubes dry with a paper towel and season them generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 3: Build the Garlic Butter Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once it’s melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it! Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for a minute to cook off the alcohol.
Step 4: Make It Creamy
Whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat it in the glorious garlic butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the fresh parsley, serve immediately, and enjoy your amazing Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta!
Tips for Recipe Success
Want to make this dish even better? Here are a few pro-tips to ensure perfect results every time.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own block of Parmesan makes a huge difference in the texture of the sauce.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook it just until al dente (with a slight bite) because it will continue to cook a little more when you add it to the hot sauce.
- Reserve Pasta Water: This starchy water is liquid gold! It helps the sauce cling to the pasta and creates a silkier texture than plain water ever could.
- Mince Garlic Finely: For the best flavor distribution, make sure your garlic is finely minced so it incorporates seamlessly into the sauce.
Delicious Variations to Try
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a fantastic base for customization. Try one of these delicious variations:
Add Veggies: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end until it wilts, or add steamed broccoli florets or sautéed mushrooms for an extra nutritional boost.
Make it Spicy: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the garlic butter sauce.
Lemon Zest: Brighten up the flavors by adding the zest of one lemon to the sauce along with the parsley.
For another easy and flavorful weeknight meal, try this amazing Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta.
What to Serve With Your Pasta
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect fresh contrast. And you can never go wrong with a side of crusty bread or our homemade cheesy breadsticks to soak up every last drop of that delicious garlic butter sauce.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Have leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and bring back its creamy consistency. Microwaving can work in a pinch, but a slow reheat on the stovetop is best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! If you prefer not to use wine, you can simply substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth. It will still be delicious.
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute. They may take a minute or two longer to cook through, but they will add extra flavor and moisture to the dish.
For an even richer sauce, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of cream cheese along with the Parmesan. Make sure it’s fully melted and incorporated for a smooth, velvety texture.
Long pastas like fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti are fantastic for soaking up the sauce. However, tube-shaped pastas like penne or ziti also work wonderfully as they catch the sauce in their ridges.
This recipe is very versatile. You can add sautéed mushrooms, steamed broccoli, asparagus, or wilted spinach. Stir them in at the end when you combine the pasta and sauce.
The Perfect End to Any Day
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta recipe is more than just food; it’s comfort in a bowl. It’s the perfect meal to share with loved ones and a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. We hope you love making it as much as we do. If you try it, please leave a comment below—we’d love to hear from you! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta: Your New 30-Minute Favorite
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- While pasta cooks, season chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss to combine. If needed, add reserved pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency. Stir in fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth.
