Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and easy-to-make dinner recipe combining tender chicken, rich garlic butter sauce, creamy Parmesan, and fresh cherry tomatoes. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal that serves 4 to 6 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (225g) pasta of your choice
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs or 680g)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning evenly on both sides.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside to rest.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate Cheese and Tomatoes: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes until tomatoes soften.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Slice the cooked chicken into strips. Add the pasta and sliced chicken back into the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat everything evenly.
- Final Touches: Sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired for some heat, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use any pasta you prefer such as penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce may be less creamy.
- Cherry tomatoes add a fresh burst of flavor, but you can substitute with sun-dried tomatoes if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of garlic to taste for a milder or stronger flavor.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
