Craving a quick and comforting meal? Look no further than Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta! This dish is packed with flavor, incredibly easy to make, and perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken pieces are bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce and tossed with your favorite pasta for a satisfying dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients:
- For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces dried pasta (such as fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cooking Guide:
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to low and melt butter in the same pan. Add garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Simmer and Thicken: Increase heat to medium and whisk in parmesan cheese, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer for 1 minute, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package directions in a separate pot of salted boiling water. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Assemble the Dish: Slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together until well combined. Add more pasta water if needed to create a silky sauce.
- Serve and Enjoy: Divide the pasta amongst plates and top with sliced chicken. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese and fresh parsley (optional), and serve immediately.
Tips:
- For extra flavor: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the garlic butter sauce for a brighter taste.
- Make it creamy: Add 1/4 cup of heavy cream to the sauce along with the parmesan cheese for a richer and creamier texture.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Chicken can dry out quickly. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for perfectly cooked chicken.
- Leftovers: This dish reheats well. Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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