Description
Succulent garlic butter chicken delivers a mouthwatering blend of rich flavors from Italian and Mediterranean cuisines. Juicy chicken thighs bathed in herbed butter create a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breasts, boneless skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
Dairy and Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter for sauce
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced (4 cloves for main dish, 2 cloves for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fettuccine pasta
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces and sear for 6-7 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat and melt butter. Add minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and lightly golden, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Return chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece in the fragrant garlic butter, ensuring even coverage.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter and sauté additional garlic until translucent. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually whisk Parmesan cheese into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Fold the prepared pasta into the cream sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated with the rich, velvety mixture.
- Plate the sauced pasta, arrange the garlic butter chicken on top, and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is evenly seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs for maximum flavor infusion.
- Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve a golden, crispy exterior that seals in moisture.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother, faster melting when creating the garlic butter sauce.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese for a richer, more authentic taste compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
- Adjust cream sauce consistency by adding more broth if too thick or simmering longer if too thin.
- Gluten-free option: Replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Low-carb variation: Substitute pasta with cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables for a lighter meal.
- Fresh garlic cloves provide more intense flavor than pre-minced garlic from a jar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 756
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 636 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 178 mg