20-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
This 20-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is the perfect quick and comforting meal—juicy, golden-seared chicken served with spaghetti tossed in a rich garlic butter and Parmesan sauce. It’s flavorful, family-friendly, and ready faster than takeout!
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Large pot
- Tongs
- Wooden spoon
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 lb Thinly Sliced Chicken Breasts (or regular breasts cut in half horizontally)
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Chicken Bouillon Powder (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Thyme
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil (divided)
- 16 oz Spaghetti (or linguine, fettuccine)
- 5 Tbsp Butter
- 8 cloves Fresh Garlic, minced
- ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper (for sauce)
- ⅔ cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 cup Reserved Pasta Water
- Fresh Parsley, minced (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining and set pasta aside.
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. Rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil onto both sides.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken slices and cook for 3 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through (165°F). Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant (do not burn). Add black pepper and half of the reserved pasta water, stirring to combine.
- Add the cooked spaghetti and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss vigorously until coated in the garlic butter sauce, adding more pasta water as needed for creaminess. Taste and adjust salt as desired.
- Slice the chicken and serve it over the garlic butter pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.