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A delicious plate of Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta topped with tender chicken and herbs.

Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

A cozy, quick-to-make dinner featuring tender chicken and pasta tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce.
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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 breast, sliced into strips You can also use boneless chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken.
  • 1 tbsp salt For seasoning the chicken.
  • 1 tbsp pepper For seasoning the chicken.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder For seasoning the chicken.
  • 1 tbsp butter or olive oil For searing the chicken.
For the garlic butter sauce
  • 1/2 cup butter Use real salted butter.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Do not burn the garlic.
  • 1 lemon for squeezing To brighten the flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Finish sauce off the heat for a smooth melt.
  • 1/2 cup pasta cooking water Adds starch to help the sauce cling.
  • 1 pinch black pepper Optional, for seasoning.
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes Optional, for flavor.
For the pasta
  • 12 oz pasta of choice Penne, fettuccine, or rotini work well.
Optional additions
  • 4 handfuls spinach Toss in at the end.
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced Sauté after the chicken.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Add for a sweet pop.
  • 2 cups broccoli, steamed Can cook with pasta.
  • 1 handful mozzarella cheese For an extra cozy touch.
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Instructions
 

Preparation
  1. Start by boiling salted water for the pasta.
  2. Cut the chicken into even pieces and pat dry.
  3. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Cooking
  1. In a hot pan, sear the chicken with butter or olive oil until cooked through.
  2. Remove chicken and make the garlic butter sauce in the same pan.
  3. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Stir in reserved pasta water and Parmesan off the heat.
  5. Toss cooked pasta with sauce, adding any optional vegetables or extras.
  6. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and serve.
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Notes

For best results, save some pasta water and adjust seasonings at the end. Can be made gluten-free with suitable pasta.