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Comfort Chicken Pasta Recipe with Smoky Garlic Butter Flavors

This comforting chicken pasta dish combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich smoky garlic butter sauce for a quick weeknight dinner that feels special enough for company. The one-pan wonder delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, featuring smoky paprika notes that blend beautifully with the garlic butter sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite shape)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in onion powder and red pepper flakes if using.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add heavy cream and stir to combine.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a smooth sauce.
  6. Cook for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken. Reserve starchy pasta water for silky sauce. Fresh garlic provides best flavor. Adjust red pepper flakes for desired heat level.