Amazing garlic butter pasta sauce goes great with garlic chicken pasta. It’s the best quick and easy comfort food that you can have on the table in less than 20 minutes.
This is seriously one of the quickest and easiest dinners to make. The recipe only calls for a few ingredients and a short cooking time, but it looks and tastes like a lot more time and work went into it.
The chicken is so juicy and flavorful, and the garlic butter is truly melt in your mouth good. Garlic butter noodles with chicken is just simply delicious and is guaranteed to be popular with your whole family.
Garlic Chicken Pasta with garlic butter pasta sauce is the best quick and easy comfort food thats ready in less than 20 minutes!.
Cooking chicken to mix into a pasta dish may seem simple, but there are some key techniques to know in order to end up with flavorful, juicy chicken that enhances the pasta. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook chicken properly for a pasta recipe, from choosing the right cut of chicken to perfecting the cooking method.
Choosing the Right Cut of Chicken
When cooking chicken for pasta, you want to choose a cut of chicken that will cook quickly and mix in well with the pasta. Here are some of the best options
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chicken breasts that don’t have any bones or skin on them. These are the best kind because they cook quickly. Find breasts that are all the same size so they cook the same way.
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Chicken thighs – Chicken thighs have more fat so they stay juicier, Bone-in thighs will have the most flavor,
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Ground chicken – Ground chicken blends into pasta seamlessly. Be sure to cook it thoroughly.
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Rotisserie chicken – Leftover rotisserie chicken works great for pasta. Shred or chop it before adding to the pasta.
If you’re cooking chicken for pasta, I suggest you avoid chicken legs and wings because they need more time to cook.
Preparing the Chicken
After choosing the cut of chicken you want to cook, there are a few things you should do to get it ready.
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Trim off any excess fat or skin to prevent the chicken from tasting greasy.
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Cut larger pieces like chicken breasts into smaller, evenly-sized pieces so they cook more quickly.
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Consider pounding thicker pieces with a meat mallet so they cook through evenly.
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Put a little salt, pepper, and any other spices you want on both sides of the chicken. This adds flavor and helps the chicken brown better.
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For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes up to overnight in a zip top bag with a marinade of your choosing.
Choosing a Cooking Method
You can use a variety of cooking methods to prepare chicken for pasta. Here are some top options:
Sautéing
This is one of the quickest and easiest methods. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken pieces for 3-5 minutes per side until browned and 165°F internally. Then slice or shred chicken and add to the pasta.
Grilling
For added flavor, grill chicken over direct medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side. Let rest 5 minutes then slice or shred before mixing into pasta.
Baking
Arrange prepared chicken pieces on a baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until 165°F internally. Cool slightly before cutting up.
Poaching
Simmer chicken breast pieces gently in broth or wine until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Shred before adding to pasta.
Instant Pot
Cook chicken pieces in the Instant Pot on high pressure for 5-8 minutes depending on size. Natural release, then shred or dice chicken.
No matter which cooking method you use, always check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Then let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing, shredding, or dicing to optimize juiciness.
Cooking the Chicken in the Pasta
Another option is to cook diced or shredded chicken right in the pasta dish. Here’s how:
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Sauté chicken in the skillet first for 2-3 minutes just until no longer pink.
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Remove chicken and set aside. Use the same skillet to cook other sauce ingredients like garlic and tomato.
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Once sauce is simmering, add pasta and chicken back to the skillet and simmer until pasta is al dente. The residual heat will finish cooking the chicken.
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Make sure to stir frequently so the chicken cooks evenly. Add pasta cooking water to the skillet to create a cohesive sauce.
Cooking the chicken directly in the pasta allows the flavors to mingle beautifully. Just be sure the chicken is nearly cooked through first to prevent undercooking in the final dish.
Top Tips for Perfect Chicken Pasta
Follow these tips when cooking chicken for pasta recipes:
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Don’t overcook the chicken or it will be dry and stringy in the pasta. Use a meat thermometer.
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Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking so juices redistribute before cutting.
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Slice, shred, or dice chicken into small pieces that will distribute nicely throughout the pasta.
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Make sure chicken is coated in spices, oil or marinade before cooking for maximum flavor.
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Sauté chicken first if cooking directly in a pasta sauce to give it a head start on cooking.
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Add some starchy pasta water to pasta dishes with chicken to help create a cohesive sauce.
Creative Ways to Use Chicken in Pasta
Chicken mixes deliciously into all sorts of pasta recipes. Here are just some creative ideas:
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Pesto chicken pasta – Toss shredded chicken in hot pasta with pesto sauce and roasted red peppers.
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BBQ chicken mac and cheese – Stir diced grilled chicken and BBQ sauce into cheesy baked macaroni.
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Chicken carbonara – Sauté chopped chicken with bacon and toss with hot spaghetti and a creamy egg sauce.
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Buffalo chicken pasta – Mix shredded chicken with Buffalo hot sauce and garnish pasta with blue cheese crumbles.
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Jerk chicken rotini – Boil rotini, then mix with shredded jerk-spiced chicken and diced pineapple.
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Chicken parmesan pasta – Top bowtie pasta with sliced chicken cutlets, marinara sauce and melted mozzarella.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating delicious chicken into pasta dishes!
What’s The Best Pasta Shape To Use?
This recipe calls for spaghetti, which I love because it’s cheap, the buttery sauce coats the long noodles, and it’s easy to slurp up the noodles and enjoy. It’s also delicious with fettuccine, bucatini, linguine, and angel hair pasta. If you’d prefer a short noodle, I’d recommend farfalle (bowtie), penne, or rotini.
No matter which noodle you choose, be sure to boil the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water.
- It is very important to use a pot that is big enough so that the pasta has enough room to cook in water that is boiling fast. This keeps the pasta from sticking together.
- You can only season the inside of the pasta by salting the water that it boils in. The pasta will soak up the flavorful cooking water as it cooks.
You only need 10 pantry friendly ingredients to make this quick meal. You’ll need: chicken breasts, olive oil, dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, salt, pepper, spaghetti, butter, garlic, and parmesan.
Chicken and Seasoning Blend:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
30 Minute Rose Chicken Breast Pasta
FAQ
How to cook chicken breast for pasta?
The best way to cook chicken breast for pasta dishes is to use the sauté method. To do this, cut the chicken breast into thin strips or cubes and season it with salt, pepper, and any herbs or spices you like. Then, cook it in a hot skillet with a little oil until it’s browned and done.
Is chicken good for pasta?
Chicken adds flavor and protein to pasta dishes. You can add chicken to classic dishes like macaroni and cheese or use bowtie or wagonwheel noodles to make a kid-friendly Italian-style pasta primavera. There are many ways to make pasta with juicy chicken breasts. It’s a full meal when served with a salad or vegetable.
Can I use boneless chicken breast for pasta?
It is generally recommended to use boneless chicken breast for pasta dishes as they are easier to slice and cook. Bone-in chicken breast takes longer to cook and may affect the overall cooking time of your pasta dish.
How do you make a chicken pasta sauce?
Wrap lightly in foil and make the sauce. ONE: Using the same skillet fry the garlic in butter over medium heat. Add the rosemary scraping all the browned bits of chicken with a spatula. TWO: Add the cream and bring to a very gentle simmer. Add the parmesan in 2 – 3 separate lots, letting it melt in between. THREE: Add ¼ cup of pasta water.
How long does it take to make creamy chicken pasta?
This Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe is so dependable, it’s one of those staple weeknight dinners that we all need in our repertoire. It is comforting, insanely delicious and comes together in about 20 minutes. A creamy sauce loaded with garlic and parmesan cheese but freshened up with lemon to cut through the richness.
Can I use leftover chicken breast for pasta?
Absolutely! Leftover cooked chicken breast can be a time-saving option for pasta dishes. Simply cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and lightly sauté it in a pan with a little oil or butter to warm it up. Then, add it to your pasta along with your sauce and other ingredients.
Can you cook raw chicken with pasta?
Just plonk flour, uncooked pasta, raw chicken, vegetables, milk and chicken broth into the baking dish, give it a quick stir, then pop it into the oven. Pull it out partway through cooking, stir through cheese, then finish baking. And what comes out is quite extraordinary.
Do you cook chicken before putting it in a pasta bake?
Chicken – I like using chicken thighs as they stay juicier in dishes like pasta bakes where they are twice cooked (ie before adding into sauce then in the oven with the pasta).
Can you have chicken in pasta?
Yes, you can boil pasta with chicken breast, but there are a few things to consider for the best results: Cooking Time: Chicken breasts typically take longer to cook than pasta. If you add raw chicken breast to boiling water with pasta, the pasta might be done before the chicken is fully cooked.
How to add cooked chicken to pasta?
Cook the pasta:
A couple of minutes before draining the water, when the pasta is nearly done but a little tough, add the chopped chicken to the pasta. This will heat up the chopped chicken and make it moist again.