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Smoky Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta - Easy One Pan Comfort Food Dinner

This smoky garlic butter chicken pasta is a one-pan comfort food dinner featuring tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce with smoky paprika and garlic. It's perfect for busy weeknights and delivers indulgent flavor with surprisingly simple preparation.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite shape)
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp 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 half of the smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 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 remaining smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
  7. Stir in fresh parsley and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni to hold the sauce. Don't skip reserving starchy pasta water as it's key for a silky, emulsified sauce. Adjust smoked paprika to taste and reheat leftovers gently with a splash of broth or cream.