Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is an easy and delicious one-pan dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe combines succulent chicken, flavorful pasta, and a luscious sauce with a subtle hint of white wine.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 10 cloves garlic, minced (or more, to taste!)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season chicken cubes generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Melt Butter: Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the same skillet. Allow it to melt completely, creating a rich base for the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can become bitter.
- Deglaze with Wine: If using, pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly and deepen the sauce’s flavor.
- Add Cream: Stir in heavy cream and let the sauce simmer for several minutes until it slightly thickens, creating a creamy texture.
- Finish Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and red pepper flakes if using. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce and stir to combine.
- Add Pasta to Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired for an attractive presentation and added flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier result.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and red pepper flakes to your taste preferences.
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the white wine and add extra chicken broth instead.
- Reserve pasta water is important as its starch helps loosen and bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and meltability.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad for a complete meal.