Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
A creamy one-pan dish featuring juicy chicken, garlic butter sauce, parmesan, and spaghetti. Quick, comforting, and perfect for an easy dinner with rich Italian-American flavors.
Equipment
- 1 large frying pan
- 1 lid or foil to cover pan while simmering
- 1 bowl to hold cooked chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 3 chicken breasts chopped into small pieces (about 18.5 oz)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 onion peeled and thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 2 tsp dried parsley or 4 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 4 cups 960 ml chicken stock
- 10.5 oz 300 g dried spaghetti
- ⅓ cup 80 ml double (heavy) cream
- ½ cup 50 g grated parmesan
- grated parmesan for serving
- finely chopped curly parsley for serving
- black pepper for serving
Instructions
- Sprinkle salt, black pepper, paprika, and oregano over the chopped chicken and mix to coat thoroughly.
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes, turning often, until golden and cooked through. Remove and place in a bowl.
- Add butter to the pan and melt, then add sliced onion and fry gently for 2-3 minutes until translucent, stirring often.
- Add garlic and parsley, stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Add spaghetti ensuring it is covered with liquid.
- Cover the pan with a lid or foil and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent pasta sticking.
- Stir in cream and parmesan, then add the cooked chicken back to the pan.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is heated through and sauce is creamy.
- Divide pasta between bowls and top with grated parmesan, chopped parsley, and freshly ground black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Best served immediately for optimal flavor and texture.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to two days and reheat with extra cream or stock to loosen sauce.
- Freezing is not recommended as it may affect sauce texture.
- Optional additions: spinach, peas, rocket, sun dried tomatoes, bacon, mushrooms, or chorizo.
- Chicken can be substituted with sausage for variation.
- Recipe scales well by maintaining ingredient ratios.