This Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken delivers restaurant-quality results in just 30 minutes. The angel hair pasta cooks in only 4 minutes, while golden chicken strips are coated in a buttery garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need something impressive without the fuss. Once you master this simple angel hair pasta and chicken recipe, it’ll become your go-to dinner solution.
SERVES: 4 | PREP: 10 MIN | COOK: 20 MIN | TOTAL: 30 MIN
Ingredients for Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Boneless skinless chicken breasts | 4 (about 1.5 pounds) |
| Angel hair pasta | 1 pound |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Butter | 4 tablespoons |
| Garlic cloves, minced | 4 large |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1 tablespoon + to taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Parmesan cheese, grated | 1/2 cup |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 tablespoons |
How to Make Angel Hair Pasta And Chicken
Preparation (10 minutes)
Step 1: Prep the Chicken Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. Slice crosswise into 1-inch strips. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set aside on a clean plate.
Step 2: Start Pasta Water Fill a large pot with 4-5 quarts of water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 3: Prep Aromatics Mince garlic finely and set aside. Chop fresh parsley and keep separate.
Cooking the Chicken (10 minutes)
Step 4: Sear the Chicken Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken strips in a single layer without crowding. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
Step 5: Flip and Finish Turn chicken pieces over and cook another 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Chicken should be completely white throughout with no pink.
Step 6: Add Garlic Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Transfer chicken to a plate, cover with foil, and keep the pan with drippings.
Cooking the Pasta (5 minutes)
Step 7: Cook Angel Hair Pasta Add 1 tablespoon salt to the boiling water. Add pasta and stir immediately. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Test at 3 minutes for doneness.
Step 8: Reserve and Drain Before draining, scoop out 1/2 cup pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta in a colander but don’t rinse.
Assembly (5 minutes)
Step 9: Build the Sauce Return the skillet with garlic to medium-low heat. Add butter and let melt completely.
Step 10: Combine Pasta Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss with tongs to coat evenly. Pour in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water.
Step 11: Add Cheese Sprinkle Parmesan in batches while tossing continuously. The sauce should be creamy and coat the pasta. Add more pasta water if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Step 12: Finish the Dish Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Fold gently to combine. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add most of the parsley and toss. Serve immediately, garnished with remaining parsley and extra Parmesan.
Chef’s Notes
Pasta Water is Key: The starchy water emulsifies the sauce, creating a silky coating instead of separated butter. Don’t skip this step.
Dry Chicken Browns Better: Moisture prevents browning. Pat chicken completely dry before cooking for a golden crust.
Watch the Garlic: Garlic burns quickly. Add it at the end and stir constantly. Burned garlic tastes bitter.
Test Early: Angel hair pasta overcooks fast. Start testing at 3 minutes instead of waiting the full 4 minutes.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 520 | 26% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Total Fat | 18g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 19% |
| Fiber | 2g | 7% |
| Sodium | 480mg | 21% |
Variations
Creamy Tuscan: Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 cups spinach, and 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes after the butter melts.
Lemon Herb: Squeeze half a lemon over the finished dish. Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest and replace Italian seasoning with fresh thyme.
Spicy Cajun: Use Cajun seasoning instead of Italian. Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1 diced bell pepper with the garlic. Try this if you enjoy bold flavors like chicken tenders and fries.
Asian Fusion: Skip Parmesan. Make sauce with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon honey. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Similar to teriyaki chicken pineapple bowls.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Not recommended. Angel hair pasta becomes mushy when frozen.
Reheat on Stovetop (Best): Add 1-2 tablespoons broth to a skillet. Heat over medium-low, stirring frequently, until hot (3-4 minutes).
Reheat in Microwave: Add 1 tablespoon water per cup of pasta. Cover and heat at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
Troubleshooting
Pasta Clumping? Use more water (at least 4 quarts). Stir immediately after adding pasta and once per minute.
Sauce Too Dry? Add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time. Never rinse pasta after cooking.
Chicken Not Browning? Pat chicken dry thoroughly. Make sure pan is hot. Don’t overcrowd. Let sit undisturbed for full time.
Garlic Burning? Add only after chicken is done. Keep heat at medium and stir constantly.
Pasta Mushy? Check at 3 minutes, not 4. Angel hair overcooks in seconds. Drain when slightly firm.
Equipment Needed
- Large pot (6-quart)
- Large skillet (10-12 inch)
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Colander
- Grater
Shopping List
Meat: 4 chicken breasts (1.5 pounds) Dairy: Butter, Parmesan cheese Pasta: 1 pound angel hair Produce: Garlic, fresh parsley Pantry: Olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper
Success Tips
1. Salt Pasta Water Properly Use 1 tablespoon salt. Properly salted water seasons the pasta from within. Water should taste like the sea.
2. Reserve Pasta Water That starchy water creates silky sauce. Save more than you think you need—you can’t recreate it after draining.
3. Don’t Rush the Browning Let chicken cook undisturbed for the full time. The golden crust adds tremendous flavor.
4. Time the Angel Hair Carefully Angel hair pasta goes from perfect to mushy in 30 seconds. Stay close and test early.
5. Serve Immediately This dish is best fresh from the pan. The sauce stays creamy and the pasta maintains perfect texture.
This angel hair pasta and chicken recipe combines simple ingredients with proper technique for impressive results in just 30 minutes.
