Description
Garlic Chicken Pasta is the ultimate quick comfort food — juicy chicken, buttery garlic sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 8 oz spaghetti (226 g)
- ½ cup salted butter
- 6 medium garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, diced (optional, garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook spaghetti to al dente following package directions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a medium bowl, mix olive oil, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Butterfly chicken breasts into 4 even fillets, then coat in the seasoning mix.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken 3 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove, cover with foil.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook 2 minutes until aromatic (do not let it brown). Spoon out half the sauce and reserve.
- Add spaghetti to the skillet, tossing with garlic butter, ¼ cup parmesan, and ⅓ cup pasta water. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.
- Slice chicken into thin strips, arrange over pasta, drizzle with reserved garlic butter, sprinkle remaining parmesan, and garnish with parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan — it melts creamier than pre-shredded. Add crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Swap spaghetti for fettuccine or penne if you prefer short pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Italian