Quick, elegant, and impossible to mess up – this Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a reliable dinner win.
Key Takeaways:
- Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish
- Uses simple pantry ingredients you likely have on hand
- Feeds 4 people generously
- Can be customized with different vegetables or proteins
Why You’ll Love This Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken Recipe
Ever stared at chicken breasts in your fridge, wondering how to turn them into something special? This Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken recipe is your answer. The thin pasta cooks in minutes, while tender chicken and a light garlic sauce create a meal that feels fancy but comes together fast.
When I first tried making Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken, I was shocked at how something so simple could taste so good. The key is in the technique – cooking the chicken until golden, then creating a silky sauce that clings to every strand of pasta. If you’ve been intimidated by pasta dishes before, this one will give you the confidence to try more!
Looking for other chicken recipes? Try my chicken tenders and fries for a kid-friendly option that adults will love too.
Nutrition Comparison
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 520 | 26% |
| Total Fat | 18g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 95mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 480mg | 21% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 52g | 19% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 7% |
| Sugars | 2g | 4% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
Equipment & Ingredients For Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
Kitchen Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Large pot | For cooking pasta |
| Large skillet | For cooking chicken and making sauce |
| Cutting board | For preparing ingredients |
| Sharp knife | For slicing chicken and mincing garlic |
| Colander | For draining pasta |
| Measuring cups/spoons | For precise measurements |
| Tongs | For tossing pasta |
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless skinless chicken breasts | 4 (about 1.5 pounds) | Main protein |
| Angel hair pasta | 1 pound | Base of dish |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons | For cooking chicken |
| Butter | 4 tablespoons | For sauce |
| Garlic | 4 cloves | Flavor base |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon | Chicken seasoning |
| Parmesan cheese | 1/2 cup, grated | For sauce |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tablespoons, chopped | Garnish |
| Salt and pepper | To taste | Seasoning |
| Reserved pasta water | 1/2 cup | For sauce consistency |
Optional Substitutions
- Chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor
- Fettuccine or spaghetti if angel hair isn’t available
- Dried herbs if fresh aren’t available (use 1 teaspoon)
- Romano cheese instead of Parmesan
- Olive oil instead of butter (flavor will differ slightly)
For a sweet and savory chicken variation, check out my teriyaki chicken pineapple bowls recipe.
Step-by-Step Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken Instructions
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Preparation Phase (5-7 minutes)
- Set Up Your Cooking Space
- Clear and clean your countertop completely
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
- Place cutting board in center of your workspace
- Arrange all ingredients on one side of cutting board
- Set all measuring tools within easy reach
- Place a small bowl for minced garlic near your cutting board
- Set colander in sink so it’s ready when needed
- Keep a kitchen towel nearby for wiping hands
- Prepare Water for Angel Hair Pasta
- Take your largest pot (at least 6-quart capacity if possible)
- Fill it with 4-5 quarts of cold water (about 3/4 full)
- Place on largest burner on stove
- Turn heat to high
- Cover with lid to speed up boiling process
- Don’t add salt yet – that comes later
- Prepare the Chicken for Your Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Remove chicken from packaging
- Place chicken breasts on a clean plate
- Pat each breast completely dry with paper towels (this helps with browning)
- Transfer to cutting board (wash plate that held raw chicken immediately)
- Hold chicken steady with fork or fingertips
- Using sharp knife, slice each breast crosswise into even 1-inch wide strips
- Try to keep strips approximately the same size for even cooking
- Place strips on a fresh clean plate
- Wash cutting board immediately with hot soapy water
- Wash knife that touched raw chicken
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap after handling raw chicken
- Prepare the Garlic and Herbs
- Place a fresh cutting board in your workspace
- Separate 4 cloves of garlic from the head
- Place flat side of knife on each clove and press firmly with heel of hand to crush
- Remove papery skin completely from crushed cloves
- Finely chop crushed garlic into tiny pieces (about 1/8-inch or smaller)
- Transfer minced garlic to small bowl you prepared earlier
- Rinse parsley under cold water and pat dry with paper towels
- Remove parsley leaves from stems
- Finely chop enough leaves to make 2 tablespoons
- Place chopped parsley in separate small bowl
- Season the Chicken
- Sprinkle both sides of chicken strips with Italian seasoning (about 1/4 teaspoon per side)
- Add 1/4 teaspoon salt over all pieces
- Add 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (about 5-6 grinds from pepper mill)
- Use clean hands to gently turn and coat each piece evenly
- Wash hands again immediately after handling seasoned chicken
Cooking the Chicken (12-15 minutes)
- Heat the Pan for Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Place large skillet (10-12 inch) on stove
- Turn heat to medium-high
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Tilt pan to coat bottom evenly
- Wait 2-3 minutes until oil shimmers and moves easily around pan
- Test readiness by flicking a tiny drop of water into pan – it should sizzle immediately
- Cook First Side of Chicken
- Pick up each chicken strip with tongs
- Carefully place chicken strips in pan one by one
- Arrange in a single layer with at least 1/2 inch between pieces
- If all chicken doesn’t fit, cook in two batches
- Let cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes
- Resist urge to move chicken – this develops golden crust
- Look for golden brown color creeping up the sides of chicken
- Check one piece by lifting slightly with tongs to see if bottom is golden
- Flip and Finish Cooking Chicken
- Use tongs to carefully flip each piece over
- If chicken sticks to pan, it’s not ready to flip – wait 30 more seconds
- Cook second side for 4-5 minutes
- Check thickest piece by cutting it in half horizontally
- Chicken should be completely white throughout, never pink
- If using thermometer, internal temperature should reach 165°F
- If chicken isn’t done, continue cooking 1-2 minutes more
- Add Garlic to Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Reduce heat to medium
- Sprinkle minced garlic around chicken, not directly on top
- Use wooden spoon to stir garlic constantly for 30-60 seconds
- Watch very carefully to prevent burning
- Garlic should become fragrant and slightly golden, never brown
- If garlic starts to darken too quickly, remove pan from heat immediately
- Rest the Chicken
- Transfer chicken pieces to clean plate using tongs
- Arrange in single layer so they don’t steam each other
- Cover loosely with foil to keep warm
- Keep pan with garlic and drippings for sauce – don’t wash it!
- Let chicken rest while cooking pasta (this keeps it juicy)
Cooking the Angel Hair Pasta (8-10 minutes)
- Check Water Status
- Water should be at full rolling boil
- You should see large bubbles consistently breaking surface
- Steam should be rising steadily
- If not boiling vigorously, wait until it reaches full boil
- Salt the Pasta Water
- Add 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water
- This may seem like a lot, but properly salted water is crucial
- Water should taste like sea water if you were to test it
- Stir briefly to dissolve salt completely
- Add Angel Hair Pasta
- Hold angel hair pasta bundle in your hand
- Lower one end into water, pressing down gently as it softens
- As pasta softens, gradually lower more into pot
- Once pasta is flexible enough to fit in pot, push it all under water
- Stir immediately with tongs to prevent sticking
- Set timer for exactly 4 minutes
- Angel hair cooks very quickly – don’t walk away!
- Monitor and Test Angel Hair Pasta
- Stir pasta at least once every minute
- Keep water at steady boil
- At 3 minutes, test a strand by removing with tongs
- Let cool slightly and taste
- Pasta should be tender but still slightly firm when bitten (al dente)
- If too firm, continue cooking but check every 30 seconds
- Angel hair can overcook in seconds – stay vigilant
- Reserve Water and Drain Angel Hair Pasta
- Place measuring cup near stove
- Before draining, use measuring cup to scoop out 1/2 cup pasta water
- Place cup with pasta water on counter where you won’t knock it over
- Ensure colander is positioned securely in sink
- Turn off heat under pasta pot
- Carefully pour pasta into colander using pot holders
- Give colander one gentle shake to remove excess water
- Don’t rinse pasta – the starch helps sauce stick
Creating the Sauce and Assembly (5-7 minutes)
- Prepare Pan for Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken Sauce
- Return pan with garlic and drippings to stove
- Set heat to medium-low
- Add 4 tablespoons butter
- Swirl pan gently as butter melts
- Watch carefully to ensure butter doesn’t brown
- Once butter is fully melted and bubbling subsides, proceed
- Add Angel Hair Pasta to Sauce
- Use tongs to transfer drained pasta directly to pan
- Lift and turn pasta with tongs to coat evenly with butter mixture
- Be gentle to avoid breaking pasta strands
- Make sure all pasta is coated with butter sauce
- If pan seems too full, transfer to the empty pasta pot instead
- Create Silky Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken Sauce
- While pan is still hot, pour in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- The starchy water will help create a silky sauce
- Immediately sprinkle in Parmesan cheese in small batches
- Use tongs to continuously toss pasta as you add cheese
- Sauce should look creamy and coat pasta, not dry or soupy
- If sauce seems too thick, add another tablespoon of pasta water
- If too thin, add a bit more cheese
- Reunite Chicken with Angel Hair Pasta
- Uncover chicken plate
- Add any accumulated juices from chicken plate to pasta
- Gently place chicken strips on top of pasta
- Use tongs to carefully fold chicken into pasta
- Add more reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if mixture seems dry
- Keep heat on medium-low as you combine everything
- Continue tossing until everything is well combined and hot
- Final Seasoning for Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Turn off heat
- Taste a small amount of pasta and sauce
- Add salt and pepper as needed (start with 1/4 teaspoon)
- Sprinkle 3/4 of chopped parsley over dish
- Gently toss one final time to incorporate herbs
- Reserve remaining parsley for garnish
Serving Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken (2-3 minutes)
- Prepare Serving Bowls
- Choose wide, shallow bowls for best presentation
- If desired, warm bowls in microwave for 15 seconds
- Warming bowls keeps food hot longer
- Portion and Garnish Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Use tongs to create neat portions in each bowl
- Ensure each serving has equal amounts of chicken and pasta
- Sprinkle each portion with remaining fresh parsley
- Add extra grated Parmesan if desired
- Add optional red pepper flakes for heat lovers
- Serve immediately while hot
For another crowd-pleasing chicken dinner option, try my cheesy chicken sloppy joe recipes when you’re looking for comfort food.
Troubleshooting Your Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Pasta clumping together?
- Use more water next time (at least 4 quarts)
- Stir immediately and frequently after adding pasta
- Make sure water is at full rolling boil before adding pasta
- Sauce too dry or pasta sticking together?
- Add more reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time
- Always save more pasta water than you think you’ll need
- Add water while sauce is still hot for best incorporation
- Chicken not browning properly?
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning
- Make sure pan is hot enough before adding chicken
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if needed
- Let chicken cook undisturbed for full time before checking
- Garlic burning or turning bitter?
- Add it only in the final minute of cooking chicken
- Keep heat at medium, not high
- Stir constantly once garlic is added
- Remove from heat immediately if garlic starts to darken
- Angel hair pasta overcooked or mushy?
- Start checking at 3 minutes, not 4
- Remember angel hair cooks extremely quickly
- Drain immediately when al dente
- Consider setting timer 1 minute less than package directions
Variations & Substitutions for Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Protein Swaps:
- Replace chicken with shrimp (cook 2 minutes per side)
- Try salmon chunks (cook 3-4 minutes per side)
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken (add at final step just to warm)
- Pasta Options:
- Use fettuccine (cook 10-12 minutes)
- Try spaghetti (cook 8-10 minutes)
- Consider linguine (cook 9-11 minutes)
- Remember to adjust cooking times accordingly
- Veggie Add-ins:
- Sauté halved cherry tomatoes after cooking chicken (2 minutes)
- Wilt fresh spinach into sauce (30 seconds)
- Add steamed broccoli florets at final assembly
- Mix in sautéed mushrooms with the chicken
- Sauce Variations:
- Add 1/2 cup heavy cream for richness
- Mix in 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste for tang
- Squeeze half a lemon over finished dish for brightness
- Add 1 tablespoon capers for briney flavor
- Spice Options:
- Add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes with garlic
- Try 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper for kick
- Use cajun seasoning instead of Italian for southern flair
Storage & Reheating Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Refrigeration:
- Cool completely before storing (within 2 hours of cooking)
- Place in airtight container
- Store in refrigerator up to 3 days
- Separate into individual portions for easier reheating
- Freezing:
- Not recommended for angel hair pasta
- Texture severely deteriorates when frozen and thawed
- If necessary, freeze sauce and chicken only, make fresh pasta later
- Reheating in Microwave:
- Place portion in microwave-safe bowl
- Add 1 tablespoon water or chicken broth per cup of pasta
- Cover with microwave-safe lid or plate
- Heat at 50% power for 1 minute
- Stir thoroughly
- Continue heating in 30-second intervals at 50% power
- Stir between intervals
- Stop when just heated through to prevent overcooking
- Add a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan after reheating
- Stovetop Reheating:
- Place in skillet with 1-2 tablespoons chicken broth or water
- Cover with lid
- Heat over medium-low, stirring frequently
- Cook just until heated through (about 3-4 minutes)
- Add a bit more liquid if it seems dry
- Finish with fresh Parmesan to refresh flavor
Safety Notes & Tips for Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
- Food Safety:
- Chicken must reach 165°F (74°C) internal temperature
- Use separate cutting boards for chicken and vegetables
- Never reuse marinades that have touched raw chicken
- Wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after handling raw chicken
- Don’t rinse raw chicken – it spreads bacteria around your sink
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F before eating
- Pro Tips for Perfect Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken:
- Salt your pasta water generously – it seasons the pasta from within
- Don’t overcook angel hair pasta – it goes from perfect to mushy in seconds
- Toss pasta in the sauce immediately after draining
- Keep some reserved pasta water – it’s liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency
- Warm your serving bowls for a restaurant touch (10 seconds in microwave)
- Grate Parmesan fresh – pre-grated doesn’t melt as smoothly
- Take time to properly brown chicken – it adds tremendous flavor
- Let chicken rest before slicing to keep juices inside
