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Comforting chicken pasta

Featured in Saucy pasta that hits the spot.

This hearty dish combines tender garlic chicken with a creamy parmesan sauce. Perfect for a simple and tasty family meal.

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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Tue, 25 Mar 2025 13:02:38 GMT
Golden chicken pieces served over creamy linguine, topped with fresh parsley and black pepper. Pin it
Golden chicken pieces served over creamy linguine, topped with fresh parsley and black pepper. | tasteofsavor.com

Here's my buttery garlic chicken paired with creamy parmesan pasta. It's basically a hug on a plate that combines juicy chicken pieces swimming in garlicky butter sauce with fettuccine coated in smooth parmesan goodness. This dish is always a hit at home, whether you need a quick weeknight dinner or something tasty for family mealtime.

What makes this dish special

This dish blends American-Italian flavors with the comfort of homestyle cooking. The smooth parmesan sauce works perfectly with the garlic butter chicken bites. The best part? You can whip it up super fast on busy weeknights without cutting corners on flavor.

What you'll need

  • Chicken: 500g chicken breast cut into tender chunks.
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons to brown the chicken nicely.
  • Butter: 60g total for both amazing sauces.
  • Garlic: 6 plump cloves for plenty of flavor.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper and Italian herbs to boost taste.
  • Fettuccine: 350g cooked to the perfect bite.
  • Cream: 25cl for a velvety sauce.
  • Parmesan: 100g freshly grated, absolutely crucial.
  • Broth: 12cl to deepen the sauce flavor.
  • Parsley: A nice bunch chopped up for freshness.

How to put it together

Start with pasta
First, I cook the fettuccine in a big pot of salted water until they have that perfect bite.
Cook the chicken
In my large pan, I brown the chicken pieces with olive oil and spices for about 6-8 minutes until they're golden.
Make garlic butter
I melt butter over medium heat, add garlic until my kitchen smells amazing, then toss the chicken back in to coat it in this wonderful sauce.
Prepare creamy sauce
In another pan, I melt butter with garlic, then pour in cream and broth. I mix in parmesan which thickens everything up nicely.
Bring it all together
I toss pasta in the creamy sauce, place chicken pieces on top, and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Pro cooking tips

Try adding a little extra garlic butter right before serving - it's so good. You can switch up the pasta type if you want. A squeeze of lemon adds brightness that I love, just like my favorite chef Ina Garten suggests. And always use freshly grated parmesan - that's the real secret to a perfect sauce.

A pasta dish topped with grilled chicken and creamy sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. Pin it
A pasta dish topped with grilled chicken and creamy sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. | tasteofsavor.com

Storing and enjoying

This dish tastes best when you eat it right away to enjoy its creamy texture. You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for two days. When reheating, I prefer using a pan on low heat or watching it carefully in the microwave to keep the sauce nice and smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can this meal be made ahead?

Pasta tastes best fresh but you can prepare the chicken early. Gently reheat it in the sauce before serving.

→ What's the best type of pasta for this?

Fettuccine works great, but you can go with linguine or even spaghetti. Long pasta holds the creamy sauce well.

→ How can I stop the sauce from thickening too much?

Save a bit of pasta cooking water. It helps adjust the sauce's consistency if it gets too thick.

→ Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, pre-cooked chicken works fine. Just warm it in the sauce at the end, so it doesn't dry out.

→ Can parmesan be swapped out?

Parmesan gives the best flavor, but pecorino romano or grana padano are good alternatives. Avoid milder cheeses for a bolder taste.

Garlic chicken pasta

A cozy pasta dish tossed in a rich parmesan sauce, paired with buttery garlic-flavored chicken pieces.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 2 tablespoons olive oil.
02 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into pieces.
03 Season with salt and pepper based on your taste.
04 4 garlic cloves, minced.
05 4 tablespoons unsalted butter.
06 1/2 cup chicken broth.
07 1 teaspoon Italian herbs.
08 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
09 Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish.
10 340g fettuccine.
11 1 cup heavy cream.
12 Optional: extra garlic butter for serving.

Instructions

Step 01

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, cook the pasta, drain it, and set aside.

Step 02

In another pan, melt two tablespoons of butter, stir in the rest of the minced garlic, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Let it simmer gently, then mix in the parmesan cheese.

Step 03

Toss the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, stirring gently to coat it evenly.

Step 04

Plate the pasta, layer the buttery garlic chicken on top, toss some parsley, and add extra garlic butter if you'd like.

Step 05

Heat olive oil in a big pan, cook the chicken pieces with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper for about 6-8 minutes, then transfer them out of the pan.

Step 06

Reuse the same pan, melt two tablespoons of butter, sauté garlic until it's fragrant, then add back the cooked chicken.

Notes

  1. Save a little pasta boiling water to thin out the sauce if it feels too thick.
  2. For even cooking, cut chicken into similar-sized chunks.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot.
  • Colander.
  • Two large pans.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 850
  • Total Fat: 48 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 65 g
  • Protein: 42 g