Prepare to fall in love with the Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe—a dish that takes all the velvety, spice-laden richness of classic butter chicken and wraps it around tender pasta for the ultimate comfort food fusion. Imagine juicy morsels of chicken bathing in a creamy tomato sauce, aromatic with garam masala and the subtle warmth of Indian spices, all swirling together with perfectly cooked noodles. This easy weeknight meal strikes a delicious balance between cozy, homey flavors and just enough flair to keep everyone at your table asking for seconds.

Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe so irresistible? It’s all about the carefully chosen ingredients, each bringing its own personality—from creamy richness to a pop of color or a hint of spice. Nothing complicated here, just simple ingredients that, together, build extraordinary flavor.

Pasta (12 ounces penne or rotini): The ideal shape to soak up all that luscious sauce and give every bite a chewy, satisfying texture.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1½ pounds): Bite-sized pieces cook quickly and stay delightfully tender in the sauce.
Butter (2 tablespoons + extra for finishing): The star of any butter chicken, it creates a fantastically rich, silky base.
Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon): Helps sear the chicken evenly without burning the butter.
Onion (1 medium, diced): Forms a sweet, savory backdrop in the sauce.
Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Adds a fragrant, aromatic punch that deepens the flavor.
Fresh ginger (1 tablespoon, grated): Bright and warming, ginger lifts the whole sauce with zingy complexity.
Tomato paste (3 tablespoons): Intensifies the sauce’s color and adds concentrated tomato flavor.
Garam masala (1 tablespoon): The aromatic Indian spice blend that makes this recipe truly shine.
Ground cumin (1 teaspoon): Lends a nutty, earthy base note to the flavor profile.
Paprika (1 teaspoon): Provides gentle sweetness and a gorgeous kiss of color.
Turmeric (½ teaspoon): Offers subtle bitterness and that signature golden glow.
Chili powder (½ teaspoon): Brings gentle heat; adjust to suit your spice preference.
Tomato sauce (1 cup): Makes the sauce creamy, tangy, and oh-so-sippable.
Heavy cream (1 cup): Rounds out the sauce with plush, dairy decadence.
Chicken broth (½ cup): Thins the sauce just enough to coat every piece of pasta.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Essential for balancing and popping all the other flavors.
Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds gentle, warming sharpness.
Fresh cilantro (¼ cup, chopped): The finishing touch—herby, bright, and fragrant.

How to Make Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Begin your Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe journey by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your favorite pasta shape—penne or rotini are perfect for clinging to all that creamy sauce. Cook until just al dente so the noodles stay tender after mixing with the hot butter chicken sauce. Drain and set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

In a large skillet or deep sauté pan, heat the butter and vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re golden on the outside and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate, keeping all those delicious juices in the pan for building your sauce.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

Now, in the same pan (don’t you dare clean it—those flavors are gold!), add the diced onion. Sauté for around 3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and tomato paste, letting them cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until everything is bubbling and deeply fragrant.

Step 4: Toast the Spices

Add the garam masala, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, and chili powder. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds; this quick fry in hot oil releases all the essential oils from the spices, giving your Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe that unmistakable, complex flavor that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 5: Build the Sauce

Pour in the tomato sauce, heavy cream, chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Stir until everything is completely blended, then bring to a gentle simmer. The mixture will take on a creamy orange color and fill your kitchen with the aroma of your favorite Indian restaurant. Return the cooked chicken (and any juices) to the pan and let it all simmer together for about 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened just a bit and lovingly coats every piece of chicken.

Step 6: Combine with Pasta

Add the cooked pasta directly into the pan with the simmering sauce. Toss everything together until every noodle is generously coated with silky, spicy goodness—a true symphony of creamy, saucy pasta perfection.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro and finish with a final, indulgent pat of butter if you desire. This last touch enhances both the flavor and the buttery gloss of the finished dish. Serve your Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe piping hot and get ready to watch it disappear.

How to Serve Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh cilantro is the perfect finishing touch—it brings brightness and a pop of green that practically sings against the creamy orange sauce. If you really want to channel restaurant vibes, add that extra pat of butter on top just before serving for the ultimate silky sheen. For extra heat, sprinkle with sliced fresh chilies or a dash of chili flakes.

Side Dishes

This Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe hardly needs accompaniment, but a side of warm garlic naan or fluffy basmati rice is always welcome to soak up extra sauce. A crisp cucumber salad or tangy raita provides cooling contrast to the creamy spices and rounds out the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a playful dinner-party twist, serve the pasta in small bowls or ramekins, topped with extra cilantro and a lemon wedge for a burst of freshness. Or, ladle the saucy pasta into a large, shallow platter and set it family-style in the middle of the table—let everyone help themselves for a cozy, communal dinner. This dish also shines as a packed work lunch, reheated until piping hot and enjoyed at your desk!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe flavorful for later, let leftovers cool, then place in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will taste delicious for up to 3 days, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for busy schedules.

Freezing

You can freeze Butter Chicken Pasta! Store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. For best results, cook the pasta just until al dente before freezing, as it will soften slightly when reheated. Be sure to let the dish thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Gently warm leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth if the sauce needs loosening. Alternatively, microwave individual portions in short bursts, stirring in between until heated through. The flavors deepen even more after a day or two!

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will give your Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe an even juicier, richer flavor thanks to their higher fat content. Just trim any excess fat before dicing and follow the instructions as written.

Is there a dairy-free option?

Yes! Swap the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk, which delivers creaminess without dairy. Also, use a plant-based butter substitute. The result is slightly different but every bit as satisfying.

Can I make this dish ahead for a party?

Definitely—this Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe is perfect for prepping ahead. Simply follow the recipe, then reheat gently before serving, adding a little broth or cream to bring the sauce back to life. Leftovers hold up wonderfully for gatherings or meal prep.

What vegetables can I add?

While classic butter chicken is all about the silky sauce and protein, you can add veggies like peas, baby spinach, or diced bell peppers for extra color and nutrition. Stir them in just before adding the pasta so they stay bright and crisp.

What’s the best pasta shape for this recipe?

Penne and rotini are fantastic choices because their nooks capture all the delicious sauce, but feel free to use farfalle or fusilli. Any short, ridged pasta will work well—you really can’t go wrong.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dish that feels special but never fussy, this Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe is your dream come true. It’s the ideal blend of comfort, spice, and sheer weeknight magic, and I can honestly say it’s a crowd-pleaser every single time. Give it a try—you’ll want to make it again and again!

Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 9 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich and flavorful fusion of traditional butter chicken and comforting pasta with this Butter Chicken Pasta recipe. Tender chicken pieces in a creamy, aromatic sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, make for a satisfying meal that’s sure to please your taste buds.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)

Chicken:

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce:

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon chili powder
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Garnish:

¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
extra butter for finishing (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat butter and oil in a skillet, cook chicken until golden, then set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: Sauté onion, garlic, ginger, and tomato paste. Add spices, tomato sauce, cream, broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer, then add chicken.
Combine: Add cooked pasta to the pan, toss until coated.
Serve: Garnish with cilantro and extra butter if desired. Serve hot.