Garlicky Chicken Pasta with Parmesan, Steak Bites, and Savory Shrimp Stir Fry Twist

Why You’ll Love This garlicky chicken pasta

• Ease of preparation: This garlicky chicken pasta recipe is quick and easy, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners. With straightforward steps and minimal ingredients, it comes together in about 20 to 35 minutes, delivering a delicious, comforting meal without any hassle.
• Health benefits: Packed with lean protein from chicken and the immune-boosting qualities of garlic, this dish offers balanced nutrition. It provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, helping to support overall wellness while satisfying your pasta cravings.
• Versatility: Easily adaptable for different dietary preferences, this garlicky chicken pasta can be prepared gluten-free, low-calorie, or even vegan with simple ingredient swaps. You can also customize it by swapping pasta types or adding your favorite veggies and proteins for a personalized touch.
• Distinctive flavor: The bold garlic butter sauce infused with aromatic herbs and freshly grated Parmesan creates a rich, savory flavor that makes this garlicky chicken pasta stand out. The tender chicken breast combined with perfectly cooked pasta offers a satisfying and memorable taste experience.

Essential Ingredients for garlicky chicken pasta

• 1 pound (about 450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied or pounded to about ½ inch thickness – provides tender, lean protein that absorbs seasoning well
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided) – used for cooking chicken and adding richness to the sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley flakes – enhances herbal aroma and flavor
• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder – amplifies the core garlicky taste
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste – balances all flavors perfectly
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste – adds mild heat and complexity
• 6 medium cloves garlic, minced – fresh garlic intensifies aroma and taste
• 8 ounces (about 225g) spaghetti or alternative pasta like penne, fettuccine, or linguine – acts as the hearty base that carries the sauce
• ½ cup (113g) salted butter – forms the creamy, flavorful garlic butter sauce
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided – adds savory depth and creamy texture
• 1 cup starchy reserved pasta cooking water (start with ⅓ cup and add as needed) – helps create a silky, smooth sauce without cream
• 1 tablespoon diced fresh parsley (optional garnish) – adds freshness and color
• Optional additions: crushed red pepper flakes, lemon zest, chopped fresh basil, spinach, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, shrimp, pancetta, or sausage – for customization and extra flavor

Special Dietary Options

• Vegan: Use plant-based butter and dairy-free Parmesan alternatives; substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh, and choose vegan pasta.
• Gluten-free: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free varieties and ensure seasoning blends are gluten-free.
• Low-calorie: Use reduced-fat butter or oil spray, lean chicken breasts, and spiralized vegetable noodles as pasta alternatives.

How to Prepare the Perfect garlicky chicken pasta: Step-by-Step Guide

First Step: Prep and Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 ounces of spaghetti or your chosen pasta until al dente following package instructions. Save 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining the pasta and set pasta aside.

Second Step: Season the Chicken

In a small bowl, combine 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Coat the butterflied chicken breasts evenly with this spice mixture to infuse them with flavor.

Third Step: Cook the Chicken

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.

Fourth Step: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and melt ½ cup salted butter. Add 6 cloves of minced garlic and sauté carefully for about 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, avoiding bitterness. Add crushed red pepper flakes now if you prefer a spicy kick.

Fifth Step: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Remove half of the garlic butter sauce into a small bowl for drizzling later. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the remaining sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly. Stir in ¼ cup Parmesan cheese and slowly incorporate reserved pasta water starting with ⅓ cup, adjusting for a silky sauce consistency. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Final Step: Assemble and Serve

Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips and serve on or alongside the pasta. Drizzle the reserved garlic butter sauce over both the chicken and pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese and freshly diced parsley. Add optional toppings like lemon zest or fresh basil to customize the dish to your liking. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Tip: Pounding the chicken breasts to uniform thickness ensures even, quick cooking while keeping the meat juicy.

For fans of seafood additions, consider complementing this dish with flavorful shrimp kabobs to add a surf and turf twist at your next meal.

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Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your garlicky chicken pasta

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

• Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a vegan-friendly protein option.
• Use shrimp or turkey breast as alternative lean proteins.
• Swap traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a low-carb variation.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

• Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers to increase the dish’s nutritional profile and flavor complexity.
• Substitute olive oil with avocado oil or butter to vary richness and taste.
• Use dairy-free cheese alternatives or omit Parmesan cheese entirely for lactose-free diets.
• Experiment with herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley to enhance and personalize seasoning.

Mastering garlicky chicken pasta: Advanced Tips and Variations

Pro cooking techniques

• Sear chicken pieces over high heat to develop a golden crust, then reduce heat to finish cooking gently to retain moisture.
• Use reserved pasta water to naturally thicken the sauce and bind pasta, avoiding heavy cream while maintaining creaminess.

Flavor variations

• Add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers to introduce sweet, smoky notes.
• Finish the sauce with a splash of white wine for complexity or some crushed chili flakes for subtle heat.

Presentation tips

• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil and a light dusting of Parmesan for a restaurant-style look.
• Serve in warm bowls to keep the pasta creamy and flavorful longer.

Make-ahead options

• Prepare the chicken and garlic butter sauce ahead of time, storing separately from pasta to maintain texture and freshness.
• Assemble and warm gently just before serving to replicate freshly cooked flavors.

How to Store garlicky chicken pasta: Best Practices

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About garlicky chicken pasta

garlicky chicken pasta

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🧄 Dive into the rich flavors of garlic-infused pasta combined with juicy chicken for a hearty meal.
🍝 This versatile dish pairs well with steak bites and shrimp, perfect for a gourmet twist at home.

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley flakes

– 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

– 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

– ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

– 6 cloves garlic

– 8 ounces spaghetti

– ½ cup salted butter

– ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

– 1 cup starchy reserved pasta cooking water

– 1 tablespoon diced fresh parsley

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Instructions

First Step: Prep and Cook the Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 ounces of spaghetti or your chosen pasta until al dente following package instructions. Save 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining the pasta and set pasta aside.

Second Step: Season the Chicken In a small bowl, combine 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Coat the butterflied chicken breasts evenly with this spice mixture to infuse them with flavor.

Third Step: Cook the Chicken Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.

Fourth Step: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and melt ½ cup salted butter. Add 6 cloves of minced garlic and sauté carefully for about 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, avoiding bitterness. Add crushed red pepper flakes now if you prefer a spicy kick.

Fifth Step: Combine Pasta and Sauce Remove half of the garlic butter sauce into a small bowl for drizzling later. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the remaining sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly. Stir in ¼ cup Parmesan cheese and slowly incorporate reserved pasta water starting with ⅓ cup, adjusting for a silky sauce consistency. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Final Step: Assemble and Serve Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips and serve on or alongside the pasta. Drizzle the reserved garlic butter sauce over both the chicken and pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese and freshly diced parsley. Add optional toppings like lemon zest or fresh basil to customize the dish to your liking. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍝 Salt pasta water generously to season the pasta internally.
💧 Using starchy pasta water helps to achieve a creamy sauce without the need for heavy cream.
🐔 Butterflying or pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures quick and even cooking.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Resting: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Gluten-Free if using suitable pasta

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 plate
• Calories: 450–660
• Sugar: 1–5g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 25–32g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13–20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 31–53g
• Fiber: 1.4–3g
• Protein: 25–41g
• Cholesterol: 120mg