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    Bites with Bri » Main » Butter Chicken Pasta

    Butter Chicken Pasta

    Published: Jul 21, 2021 · Modified: May 18, 2022 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Butter Chicken Pasta is my twist on an Indian classic. The pasta is tossed in a rich spiced tomato cream sauce and is loaded with tender chicken thighs. Everything you love about a classic butter chicken, but swap the rice for pasta. It all comes together in only about 30 minutes too! 

    overhead of pasta in pot

    If you love pasta recipes, try my Olive Garden Crock Pot Chicken or Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Highlights
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips & Recipe Notes
    • FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Butter Chicken Pasta

    Highlights

    • Rich & creamy tomato sauce
    • Tons of warm Indian spices
    • Beautiful red orange color 
    • Ready in 30 minutes or less
    • Perfect hearty dinner recipe
    • Everything you love about butter chicken served with pasta instead of rice

    Ingredients

    overhead of ingredients labeled
    • Chicken Thighs: Swap for chicken breast. It dries out more and is not traditionally used in Indian cuisine so I prefer thighs for the recipe. 
    • Garam Masala: This spice is crucial for the sauce. It should not be too hard to find. 
    • Honey: Swap for white or brown sugar. 
    • Heavy Cream: Swap for half and half or full fat canned coconut milk. The sauce will not be as rich, but it is a lighter option. 
    • Short Cut Pasta: Any short cut pasta will work like rotini, penne, or fusilli. I like a shape that has lots of nook and crannies for the sauce. I used radiatori.

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    Instructions

    before you start . . .

    • Cut the chicken. Slice the chicken thighs into bite size pieces. I like to err on the side of larger pieces because they shrink up when they cook. I find it somewhat difficult to cut the chicken so I never worry about having perfectly uniform pieces. 
    • Press the garlic. I love pressing garlic for sauces. It brings out the flavor. Plus this garlic press makes it quick and easy.

    Step 1: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the chicken, salt, pepper, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne. Sauté until the chicken is mostly cooked through. Turn the heat to medium low.

    Step 2: Add the onion and sauté for 1-2 minutes.

    steps 1 & 2
browned chicken in pot
chicken and onion in pot

    TIP - Brown bits will form. These add depth and flavor. 

    Step 3: Add the tomato, honey, ginger, and garlic. Sauté for another minute.

    Step 4: Add cream. Scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    steps 3 & 4
tomato paste mixed with chicken in pot
cream added to mixture and reduced

    TIP -  Check on the sauce as it cooks covered to ensure it is not burning or boiling too much. 

    Step 5: While the sauce simmer, boil the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Reserve about 1-2 cups of pasta water.

    Step 6: Toss the pasta with sauce. Add about ½ cup of pasta water to start. Thin the sauce with more as needed.

    steps 5 & 6
cooked pasta
pasta tossed with chicken and sauce

    TIP -  You will likely need more than ½ cup, but I like to add as I stir it in. 

    Expert Tips & Recipe Notes

    • Use chicken thighs. Chicken thighs have more fat making them moist when cooked. They hold up well simmering the tomato cream sauce. 
    • Do not skip the garam masala. This spice is so important to achieving the traditional flavor of butter chicken. It adds a depth and warmth that cannot be replaced with anything else.  
    • Keep any eye on the sauce. While the sauce simmers, be sure to uncover it and stir. Since it is cream based, it will thicken up quickly, which makes it prone to burning on the bottom. 
    • Do not overcook the pasta. When cooking pasta, ALWAYS set a timer. If the package suggests a range of time, set your timer for the shortest time. I find this is normally plenty.  
    • Thin the sauce with the pasta water. Right before your pasta is done, ladle some water into a glass liquid measuring cup or bowl. This ensures you have plenty to work with. 
    • Serve with naan. I mean what’s a big hearty bowl of pasta without a side of warm bread? You can make it homemade or just buy some from the store. I recommend warming it and brushing it with garlic butter.
    closeup on butter chicken pasta in a bowl with naan

    FAQs

    How long does butter chicken pasta last in the fridge?

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    What can I serve butter chicken pasta with?

    Serve it with a simple salad and warm naan. 

    Why is butter chicken so good?

    Butter chicken has a very rich sauce that often includes heavy cream. It has a variety of spices with unique flavors. When prepared well, they work in perfect harmony to create an addicting sauce.

    What does butter chicken taste like?

    The base of butter chicken sauce (or gravy) is tomato and heavy cream. So similar to a tomato cream sauce for pasta. But what really makes it taste unique is all of the spices and aromatics. It has ginger, garlic, and onion, which add even more depth. It has a subtle sweetness from the honey.

    Why is butter chicken called butter chicken?

    It has butter in the sauce. But most of the fat in butter chicken comes from the heavy cream.

    Is butter chicken meant to be spicy?

    No. They cayenne pepper balances some of the sweetness, but does not hit you with much noticeable spice. 

    Related Recipes

    • French Onion Chicken Bake
    • Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
    • Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup
    • Dutch Oven Chicken Breast
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    5 from 35 votes

    Butter Chicken Pasta

    This Butter Chicken Pasta is my twist on an Indian classic. The pasta is tossed in a rich spiced tomato cream sauce and is loaded with tender chicken thighs. Everything you love about a classic butter chicken, but swap the rice for pasta. It all comes together in only about 30 minutes too!
    Servings5 people
    Prep5 minutes
    Cook25 minutes
    Total30 minutes
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: Indian
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • Garlic Press

    Ingredients:

    • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs*
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 teaspoons garam masala*
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 yellow onion, diced
    • ⅓ Cup tomato paste
    • 1 Tablespoon honey*
    • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
    • 5 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
    • 1 cup heavy cream*
    • 12 ounces short cut pasta, pasta water resevred*

    Instructions:

    • Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
    • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the chicken, salt, pepper, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne. Sauté until the chicken is mostly cooked through. Turn the heat to medium low.
    • Add the onion and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
    • Add the tomato, honey, ginger, and garlic. Sauté for another minute.
    • Add cream. Scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • While the sauce simmer, boil the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Reserve about 1-2 cups of pasta water.
    • Toss the pasta with sauce. Add about ½ cup of pasta water to start. Thin the sauce with more as needed.

    Notes:

    Chicken Thighs: Swap for chicken breast. It dries out more and is not traditionally used in Indian cuisine so I prefer thighs for the recipe. 
    Garam Masala: This spice is crucial for the sauce. It should not be too hard to find. 
    Honey: Swap for white or brown sugar. 
    Heavy Cream: Swap for half and half or full fat canned coconut milk. The sauce will not be as rich, but it is a lighter option. 
    Short Cut Pasta: Any short cut pasta will work like rotini, penne, or fusilli. I like a shape that has lots of nook and crannies for the sauce. I used radiatori.
    Use chicken thighs. Chicken thighs have more fat making them moist when cooked. They hold up well simmering the tomato cream sauce. 
    Do not skip the garam masala. This spice is so important to achieving the traditional flavor of butter chicken. It adds a depth and warmth that cannot be replaced with anything else.  
    Keep any eye on the sauce. While the sauce simmers, be sure to uncover it and stir. Since it is cream based, it will thicken up quickly, which makes it prone to burning on the bottom. 
    Do not overcook the pasta. When cooking pasta, ALWAYS set a timer. If the package suggests a range of time, set your timer for the shortest time. I find this is normally plenty.  
    Thin the sauce with the pasta water. Right before your pasta is done, ladle some water into a glass liquid measuring cup or bowl. This ensures you have plenty to work with. 
    Serve with naan. I mean what’s a big hearty bowl of pasta without a side of warm bread? You can make it homemade or just buy some from the store. I recommend warming it and brushing it with garlic butter.

    NUTRITION:

    Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 1107mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa Fandrich

      September 09, 2022 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      Made this and absolutely love the recipe! I used chicken breast and half & half because that’s what I had on hand. So yummy!!!!

      Reply
      • Brianna May

        September 13, 2022 at 7:55 am

        Great!

        Reply
    2. Dee

      August 10, 2021 at 6:57 pm

      Could this recipe be done in an instapot?

      Reply
      • Brianna May

        August 26, 2021 at 9:58 am

        You could use the sauté function on the pot to make the chicken and the sauce. The pasta would still need to be boiled separately. There is not enough liquid in the sauce to pressure cook the chicken. Heavy cream does not do well under high pressure. Hope this helps!

        Reply

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    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

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