Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

Craving an easy, restaurant quality dinner in under 30 minutes? This garlic butter chicken pasta combines tender, seared chicken bites with a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it is comforting, delicious, and guaranteed to impress your family.

Quick & Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Garlic Butter Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

For the Creamy Alfredo Pasta:

• 8 oz fettuccine pasta

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, finely chopped

• Extra grated Parmesan cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.

2. Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken cubes evenly with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.

3. Garlic Butter Finish: Reduce heat to low, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer the garlic chicken and pan juices to a plate.

4. Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Pour in the heavy cream and whisk in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes.

5. Melt the Cheese: Remove sauce from heat and gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan until smooth and melted. If the sauce is too thick, splash in a little reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

6. Combine and Serve: Toss the warm fettuccine into the sauce until thoroughly coated. Top with the seared garlic butter chicken bites, fresh chopped parsley, and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve warm!

Pro Tip: Always grate your Parmesan cheese from a block rather than buying pre-shredded cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan melts effortlessly into the cream without clumping or becoming grainy.