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Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

A delightful dish that combines rich flavors of garlic and butter with tender chicken and creamy pasta, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta
  • 300 g pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Season the chicken pieces with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken in the garlic butter and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combining and Serving
  1. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the Parmesan sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce.
  2. Stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Plate the creamy pasta and top with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with extra parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Make sure not to overcook the chicken so that it remains juicy and tender. Use fresh parsley for the best flavor, but dried parsley can also work in a pinch. You can customize this recipe by adding vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, or sun-dried tomatoes. Feel free to swap out the chicken for shrimp or tofu for a different protein.