One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A creamy, one-pan meal with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs chicken breast, pasta, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.0 (10 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 12 oz pasta with 1 tsp salt and 1 tbsp olive oil; spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 oz chicken breast, season with 1/2 tsp black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Toss cooked pasta into the skillet with the chicken and garlic butter. Stir to coat evenly.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the pasta is tender and the top is golden.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta?

Italian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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