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Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

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A cozy weeknight meal featuring tender seared chicken and silky pasta in a glossy garlic butter sauce, balanced with lemon and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

  • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • All-purpose flour (optional)
  • Unsalted butter
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Fresh garlic (4–6 cloves, minced)
  • Yellow onion or shallots (finely diced, optional)
  • Dry pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or penne)
  • Chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  • Heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, thyme, or basil (chopped)
  • Lemon zest and juice
  • Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
  • Mushrooms (optional, cremini or baby bella)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta and mise en place by chopping the garlic and patting the chicken dry.
  2. Cook the pasta in well-salted boiling water until just shy of al dente, then drain and reserve a cup of pasta water.
  3. Season the chicken with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, and lightly dust with all-purpose flour if using.
  4. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with extra-virgin olive oil and unsalted butter, then sear the chicken until golden, about 4 to 6 minutes per side.
  5. Remove the chicken and let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it.
  6. In the same skillet, melt more unsalted butter and sauté onion or shallots until translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, then deglaze the pan with chicken stock.
  8. Stir in more butter and heavy cream, and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
  9. Toss the drained pasta and sliced chicken in the sauce, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
  10. Stir in grated Parmesan and chopped herbs, finishing with lemon zest and juice.
  11. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and cheese.

Notes

Use high heat for a good sear, and adjust sauce thickness with pasta water. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pasta, garlic butter, weeknight dinner, creamy pasta, Italian recipe

Find it online: https://saveurmagique.com/garlic-butter-chicken-pasta/