Sometimes the best meals come from the simplest ingredients. You know those nights when you just want something warm, hearty, and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen? This creamy garlic butter chicken pasta is exactly that. It’s rich, comforting, full of flavour, and comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights, date nights, or whenever you’re craving something delicious and soul-soothing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
300g of pasta (penne or fettuccine works best)
2 chicken breasts, diced
4 tablespoons of butter
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup of thickened cream
½ cup of grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
The Method
Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cooking your pasta until al dente. Don’t forget to save about half a cup of the pasta water before draining, it’s liquid gold for making the sauce silky.
While your pasta’s cooking, heat two tablespoons of butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add your diced chicken, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Once it’s done, remove the chicken and set it aside.
In the same pan, lower the heat and melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and let it sizzle gently until fragrant, just a minute or two. This is where the flavour really builds.
Pour in the cream and stir slowly, scraping up all the little browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, then stir in the parmesan. You should now have a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce that smells like absolute heaven.
Add the chicken back into the pan, then toss in your drained pasta. Mix everything together and add a splash of that reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick. The starch from the pasta water helps bind everything and gives it that restaurant-quality gloss.
Give it a taste and adjust seasoning if needed. A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top adds colour and a pop of freshness, but it’s totally optional.
Why This Works
This dish hits all the right notes, creamy, savoury, slightly salty, and deeply satisfying. The garlic butter base gives it richness, while the parmesan adds sharpness and depth. It’s simple but feels like something you’d get at a cosy Italian restaurant. Plus, it’s versatile. Add mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or even a squeeze of lemon if you want to switch it up.
Final Thoughts
Food doesn’t need to be complicated to be memorable. This creamy garlic butter chicken pasta is proof. It’s the kind of meal that brings people to the table and leaves them asking for seconds. So next time you’re craving comfort food, give this a try, it might just become your new favourite.
