Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

If there’s one dish guaranteed to win hearts at the dinner table, it’s Garlic Butter Chicken. Imagine juicy, golden pieces of chicken napped in a velvety garlic butter sauce, all nestled atop a bed of creamy fettuccine. This recipe’s blend of simple pantry staples magically transforms into a crave-worthy, restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, Garlic Butter Chicken brings effortless elegance and decadent flavor — a favorite that you’ll crave again and again!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Garlic Butter Chicken is in its simplicity: every ingredient has a starring role in creating bold flavors and luscious textures. Each element builds richness, balances brightness, and brings out the very best in this classic dish.

• Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (1 lb): Cut into bite-sized pieces, these cook quickly and soak up all that gorgeous garlic butter.
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Adds a fruity base to brown the chicken and boost the richness of the dish.
• Butter, unsalted (4 tablespoons): Essential for silky-smooth garlic butter sauce; use unsalted to control flavor.
• Garlic, minced (4 cloves): The aromatic hero of the recipe, infusing each bite with savory depth.
• Salt and pepper: Season to your preference — don’t be shy for best flavor!
• Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): A pinch of herbs adds warmth and complexity to your chicken bites.
• Parsley, fresh (chopped): Adds a burst of fresh, herby color for garnish.
• Fettuccine or any pasta (12 oz): A sturdy base for all that saucy glory; use your favorite shape.
• Butter (2 tablespoons): For the cream sauce — gives your pasta extra silkiness.
• Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Just a touch more to perfume the creamy component.
• Heavy cream (1 cup): Makes the sauce luscious and indulgent.
• Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup): For nutty, salty depth that melts beautifully into the cream sauce.
• Chicken broth (1/2 cup): Lightens the sauce and ties together all the savory notes.
• Salt and pepper: As needed to ensure every layer of the dish is seasoned perfectly.
• Extra garlic butter (optional): For drizzling — because there’s never too much garlic butter!

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add your fettuccine (or preferred pasta) and cook just until al dente — this ensures your noodles hold up beautifully under the rich, creamy sauce. Drain and set aside to keep things moving smoothly later.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

While your pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your chicken pieces, letting them develop a nice golden sear for maximum flavor. The aim is juicy, tender chicken with a lightly crisped bite.

Step 3: Season the Chicken

Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper, and that fragrant Italian seasoning. Toss gently to coat evenly and continue cooking for 6 to 8 minutes, making sure each piece is cooked through and golden. Once done, set the chicken aside — but keep the skillet handy for the next step!

Step 4: Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce

Reduce heat to medium and melt those glorious 4 tablespoons of butter right in the same pan. The residual flavor from sautéing the chicken amps up your sauce, making it savory and irresistible. When the butter bubbles, pour in the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant — you’ll know it’s ready when everyone suddenly drifts into the kitchen from the heavenly aroma.

Step 5: Coat the Chicken

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it gently so every piece is completely enveloped by that luscious garlic butter. The chicken will soak up the sauce, making each bite juicy and flavorful.

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Sauce

In a separate pan, melt 2 more tablespoons of butter over medium heat and let the extra garlic gently sizzle and soften. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then bring to a soft simmer — this is the start of your dreamy, cheesy pasta sauce!

Step 7: Thicken and Season the Sauce

Once the cream mixture is hot, stir in the grated Parmesan. Keep whisking gently as the cheese melts and the sauce naturally thickens to a silky texture. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper as needed — you want it boldly seasoned but balanced.

Step 8: Toss the Pasta

Add your drained pasta into the creamy Parmesan sauce, tossing well so every strand gets coated. The sauce will cling deliciously, thanks to the starch from the pasta water. If you need to loosen things up a touch, add a splash more chicken broth.

Step 9: Combine and Finish

To serve, arrange the lush creamy pasta on plates or a big platter, then lovingly top with the garlic butter chicken. Drizzle a little extra garlic butter if you wish — it’s the ultimate finishing touch.

Step 10: Garnish

Scatter over fresh chopped parsley for color and extra freshness. This last detail makes the Garlic Butter Chicken truly pop, both visually and in flavor!

How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken

Garnishes

A generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley does more than just look pretty — it brightens up the rich flavors and adds a pop of color. For an extra luxurious touch, drizzle warm garlic butter over the top before serving, and if you’re feeling bold, throw on a few extra curls of fresh Parmesan.

Side Dishes

Garlic Butter Chicken pairs harmoniously with lighter, veggie-driven sides. A crisp green salad (think arugula or spinach) tossed in a lemony vinaigrette helps cut the richness, while roasted broccoli, asparagus, or tender sautéed green beans make for a colorful, nourishing plate. Crusty bread is always a crowd-pleaser for mopping up that irresistible sauce!

Creative Ways to Present

For a family-style gathering, pile your pasta and chicken into a large serving bowl and let everyone help themselves. For individual plates, twirl the creamy fettuccine high and artfully top with the juicy chicken bites. You can even serve the Garlic Butter Chicken as a creamy skillet bake, finished in the oven for a bubbly, golden finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, divide any leftover Garlic Butter Chicken into airtight containers and refrigerate for up to three days. Store the pasta and chicken together for convenience, or keep them separate for easy lunchtime meal prep.

Freezing

This dish can be frozen, but it’s best to freeze the chicken (in garlic butter sauce) and creamy pasta sauce separately — pasta itself can become a bit mushy after freezing. Let everything cool, transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers, and freeze for up to two months.

Reheating

For best results, reheat Garlic Butter Chicken gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to keep things saucy. If microwaving, cover loosely and reheat in short bursts, stirring in between to avoid drying out the chicken or pasta.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in Garlic Butter Chicken. They’re a bit juicier and richer, and cook up tender and full of flavor.

What pasta shapes work best if I don’t have fettuccine?

While fettuccine is a classic, any sturdy pasta like penne, rigatoni, or linguine will soak up the creamy sauce just as well. Even short shapes like rotini work wonderfully if that’s what you have on hand.

How can I make this dish gluten-free?

Swap the regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free variety and double-check that your chicken broth and seasonings are gluten-free too. The sauce and chicken are naturally gluten-free, so it’s an easy switch!

What can I add to make it spicy?

If you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes with the garlic or finish with a swirl of chili oil on top. The spicy kick complements the richness of the garlic butter beautifully.

Can I prepare the Garlic Butter Chicken ahead of time?

Yes! You can cook the chicken bites and prepare the sauce a day ahead, storing them separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat gently and combine with freshly cooked pasta for a just-made taste and texture.

Final Thoughts

Trust me when I say, Garlic Butter Chicken is destined to become your new weeknight hero and entertaining secret weapon. Every bite is proof that simple ingredients and a little love go a very long way. Give it a try — and don’t be surprised if it earns a standing ovation at your table!

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