If you’re in search of a comforting, creamy pasta dish that’s bursting with flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes, you’ve landed on the right recipe. Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is the kind of weeknight wonder you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. With tender chicken, rich garlic butter sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish is a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a hungry family, or looking for a new favorite to add to your dinner rotation, this one hits all the right notes.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know to make this dreamy dish—no fancy skills required, just a little love, and some garlic.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta isn’t just another creamy pasta dish. It’s bold, satisfying, and designed with real home cooks in mind.

Key Benefits

Quick and easy: This entire dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a lifesaver on busy nights. No need to wait for a special occasion—this recipe is weeknight-friendly and efficient.

Big flavor, simple ingredients: With garlic, butter, cream, and Parmesan at the heart of the sauce, you get that indulgent, restaurant-quality taste using pantry staples.

Versatile: Not only can you swap out ingredients depending on what you have, but it also pairs well with vegetables or can be made spicy, cheesy, or low-carb depending on your mood.

Kid and crowd-friendly: The rich garlic butter flavor is comforting without being overpowering, so it pleases even picky eaters.

For more reasons to fall in love with garlic-based dinners, check out The Kitchn’s favorite garlic pasta recipes for inspiration.

Suitable For

This recipe is perfect for:

• Busy weeknights when you need something fast but fulfilling

• New cooks who want to build kitchen confidence

• Cozy date nights at home

• Feeding a family without breaking the budget

• Pasta lovers who want a creamy twist without reaching for a jar of store-bought sauce

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

With just a few key ingredients, you’ll create a sauce that clings beautifully to every strand of pasta and brings out the best in your chicken.

Core Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Chicken breasts – Boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces. You want these juicy and golden brown.

• Garlic – Freshly minced. It’s the star of the sauce, so don’t go for the jarred stuff if you can help it.

• Butter – Unsalted works best so you can control the saltiness.

• Pasta – Fettuccine or spaghetti works beautifully, but you can use what you love.

• Chicken broth – Adds depth and balances the richness of the cream.

• Heavy cream – For that silky, indulgent finish.

• Grated Parmesan cheese – It melts into the sauce for a savory, nutty note.

• Red pepper flakes (optional) – Add a little heat if you like things spicy.

• Fresh parsley – For garnish and a pop of color.

• Salt and black pepper – To taste.

If you’re new to working with heavy cream in pasta, Serious Eats has a great primer on how to prevent curdling and get the perfect texture every time.

Substitutions and Tips

Cooking should be flexible—this recipe certainly is. Here are some smart swaps and ideas:

• No heavy cream? Use half-and-half, or even a splash of milk plus a bit more cheese to thicken the sauce.

• Try Greek yogurt if you’re going for a lighter take. Just stir it in off the heat to avoid curdling.

• No chicken? Shrimp or mushrooms make great alternatives.

• Cheese twist: Pecorino Romano is sharper than Parmesan and makes the sauce a bit more punchy.

• Make it gluten-free by using your favorite GF pasta.

Want to build your own flavor combo? You can even toss in veggies like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or broccoli. Bon Appétit’s pasta tips offer some creative ideas to level up your pasta game.

Best Pasta for Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

Not all pasta is created equal, especially when it comes to holding onto creamy sauces like this one.

Fettuccine and spaghetti are ideal because they’ve got enough surface area to cling to the velvety garlic butter sauce. But don’t be afraid to mix it up—penne, rigatoni, or even farfalle can work just as well. Just keep an eye on cooking time and taste for doneness rather than relying solely on the clock.

If you’re curious about how to choose pasta shapes based on the sauce, this guide from The Spruce Eats breaks it down in an easy-to-understand way.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need a chef’s kitchen to pull this off—just a few basics and you’re good to go.

Must-Have Tools

• Large skillet or sauté pan – This is your one-pan hero for cooking the chicken and sauce.

• Pasta pot – For boiling your pasta. Be sure it’s large enough to give your noodles space to move.

• Tongs or a wooden spoon – To toss everything together without breaking the pasta.

• Garlic press or fine knife – Because finely minced garlic equals more even flavor in every bite.

Nice-to-Have Tools

• Microplane – Perfect for finely grating Parmesan so it melts quickly into the sauce.

• Cast iron skillet – If you have one, it’s great for getting a beautiful golden crust on the chicken.

• Pasta measuring tool – Helps you portion out just the right amount of pasta—no more guessing!

Having the right tools doesn’t just make cooking easier—it helps make your food taste better, too. For a list of must-haves every home cook should own, take a peek at Epicurious’s essentials for pasta lovers.

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

You’re all set with your ingredients and tools—now let’s bring everything together. Making Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a simple process, but it’s all about timing and layering flavor. We’re going step-by-step so you feel confident from the first stir to the final sprinkle of parsley.

If you’re new to making creamy pasta sauces from scratch, this pasta-making guide from Simply Recipes is a great crash course on the basics.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Salting the water is your first chance to season the pasta, and it makes a huge difference. Aim for water that tastes “like the sea.”

Cook your pasta according to the package directions until it’s just shy of al dente—it’ll finish cooking in the sauce later. Reserve about half a cup of pasta water before draining. That starchy water is liquid gold and can help loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.

Pro tip: Don’t rinse your pasta. The starch on the noodles helps the sauce stick like a dream.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Season your chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, flipping as needed, until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.

You want the chicken to develop a bit of a crust—this adds loads of flavor and gives the sauce more depth. If you’re unsure whether it’s cooked, check that the internal temp hits 165°F. The USDA has a full safety guide here.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Without wiping out the skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Let it melt, then stir in the minced garlic.

Let the garlic cook for 1–2 minutes, just until it’s fragrant. Watch closely—it can go from golden to burnt quickly.

Next, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, if using. Stir to wake up those spices.

Now pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer for about 2 minutes—this adds a subtle savory layer to your sauce.

Reduce the heat to low, then add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce begins to thicken, about 2–3 minutes. If it seems too thick, don’t worry—we’ll fix that in the next step.

Step 4: Toss It All Together

Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything gently to coat.

This is the moment the magic happens—the sauce clings to every strand, the chicken soaks up all that garlicky goodness, and the whole dish starts to come together.

If the sauce looks too thick, splash in a bit of the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it’s just right. You’re looking for glossy, creamy, and rich.

Finish with a shower of fresh parsley and more grated Parmesan if you’d like.

Tips for Success

Here are a few pointers that can make the difference between “pretty good” and “absolutely amazing”:

• Use fresh garlic. Skip the jarred stuff for this one—it’s worth it.

• Don’t overcook the chicken. Browning it is great, but dry chicken is not. Cut into bite-sized pieces so it cooks evenly and quickly.

• Grate your own cheese. Pre-grated Parmesan often has additives that prevent it from melting smoothly.

• Reserve the pasta water. It’s your secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency on the fly.

• Taste and adjust. Everyone’s preference for salt and spice varies—make it your own.

If you ever want to master creamy sauces, check out Serious Eats’ breakdown of sauce consistency tips.

How to Store Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

While it’s best eaten fresh, Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta makes great leftovers. Here’s how to keep it tasting delicious:

At Room Temperature

Don’t leave the pasta out for more than 2 hours. After that, it should be refrigerated to keep things safe.

In the Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or cream to bring the sauce back to life and heat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Freezing Tips

For best results, freeze the chicken and sauce separately from the pasta. Pasta can get a little mushy when thawed. When ready to serve, cook fresh pasta and reheat the sauce on the stove.

Want more storage advice? The Kitchn has a helpful freezer pasta guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Absolutely. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. Just shred it and add it in when you toss everything together in the sauce.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Swap out the butter and cream for dairy-free alternatives like oat milk creamers or coconut milk, and use nutritional yeast or vegan cheese in place of Parmesan.

How can I make it spicier?

Crank up the heat with more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce. Sriracha works great here too.

What’s the best wine pairing?

A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay balances the richness of the sauce. You can also stir a splash into the sauce itself for a subtle boost in flavor.

Related Recipes

If you loved this Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta, try these delicious comfort food favorites from RecipeSeasys:

• Golden Garlic Chicken Bites Over Creamy Parmesan Pasta – A bold, buttery companion dish.

• Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta – Perfect finger food twist on your favorite flavors.

• Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne – A pasta night staple with a silky twist.

• One-Pan Chicken with Creamy Buttered Noodles – For those one-dish dinner cravings.

• Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne – Get in your greens without sacrificing comfort.

Conclusion

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta isn’t just easy—it’s exceptional. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together, whether you’re feeding a busy family, cooking for someone special, or just treating yourself to something indulgent after a long day.

So don’t be afraid to make it your own. Add your favorite veggies, spice it up, or keep it classic. No matter how you serve it, you’re in for something delicious. And when you try it, I’d love to hear how it turned out—drop a comment, share your photos, and let’s keep the comfort food conversation going.

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