Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
This restaurant-quality Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta features perfectly seared, tender chicken breasts paired with spaghetti tossed in a rich, aromatic garlic parmesan sauce. By using reserved starchy pasta water to create a silky emulsion with butter and fresh parmesan, this dish delivers a bold, savory flavor profile without the need for heavy cream. It is an ideal, reliable dinner solution for busy weeknights that provides a satisfying, high-protein meal with simple, effective techniques.
Ingredients
- 1 pound thinly sliced chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced finely
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.6 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil and cook spaghetti until al dente.
- Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining the noodles.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, bouillon, garlic powder, thyme, and paprika.
- Coat chicken with one tablespoon of olive oil.
- Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for three minutes per side until reaching 165℉, then remove from the pan.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter and add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant.
- Pour in a portion of the reserved pasta water to deglaze the pan and whisk to create a sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta and parmesan cheese to the skillet, tossing until the noodles are well-coated.
- Slice the chicken and serve over the pasta.
Notes
Ensure the chicken is at room temperature before searing for even cooking. Always use freshly grated parmesan cheese as it melts better and provides a creamier texture for the sauce compared to pre-shredded varieties. If the sauce becomes too thick, add small splashes of the remaining reserved pasta water until reaching the desired consistency.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5gCalories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 35gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 750mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
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