#9 in my '100 30 Minute Meals' series in this quick & easy Butter Chicken Pasta. Made with butter, ground chicken, garlic, tomato sauce, cream, and a blend of aromatic spices.
Why You'll Love this Butter Chicken Pasta:
- It comes together in just 30 minutes!
- Creamy & Flavorful. Made with warm spices, tomato sauce, and cream.
Jump to:
Key Ingredients:
- Ground Chicken: Browned to give lean protein and texture.
- Spice Mix: A blend of garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, ginger, and cinnamon give warmth and depth.
- Tomato Sauce & Heavy Cream: Create the base of the sauce.
- Butter, Garlic, & Honey: Add layers of flavor.
Dietary Swaps:
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free short cut pasta and double check the label of all store-bought ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Swap butter and heavy cream for dairy-free versions such as Earth Balance and coconut milk.
- Vegetarian: Omit the ground chicken or swap it for a plant based ground 'meat' such as Impossible Foods ground 'beef' or 'sausage'.
Recipe Variations:
- Add Veggies, such as baby spinach, bell peppers, diced onions, or peas.
- Swap the Protein. Try ground turkey, diced chicken tenders, or even ground beef.
- Spice it Up. Add cayenne pepper, chili powder, or chili paste for extra heat.
Tips & Notes:
- Save some pasta water before draining. Adding a bit of pasta water can help loosen and bind the sauce.
- Don't Skip the Honey. Adding just a touch of sweetness adds balance and depth.
Storage & Reheating:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat on the stove top over medium-low heat, adding a bit of broth or cream to the sauce as needed.
- Freezing not recommended.
More 30 Minute Meals You Will Love:
- Easy Veggie Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad
- Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta
- Tuna Olive Pasta
- Chicken & Chorizo Pasta
- Homemade Beef Stroganoff Hamburger Helper
Recipe
Butter Chicken Pasta
Made with butter, ground chicken, garlic, tomato sauce, cream, and a blend of aromatic spices.
Ingredients
- 8 oz short-cut pasta penne, rotini, or similar
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Spice Mix:
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine all spices for the spice mix and set aside.
- In a large high-sided frying pan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat.
- Add ground chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6 minutes, breaking up into crumbles until browned.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
- Whisk in tomato sauce, honey, and the prepared spice mix. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat, thinning the sauce with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Save some pasta water before draining. Adding a bit of pasta water can help loosen and bind the sauce.
- Don't Skip the Honey. Adding just a touch of sweetness adds balance and depth.
- Nutrition values are an estimate only.
Nutrition
Calories: 510kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 30gFat: 28gSodium: 590mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
Tried this Butter Chicken Pasta? I'd love to hear how it turned out! ⭐ Please leave a star rating and review in the recipe card below. Your feedback helps others discover this easy 30 minute meal. Enjoy, and happy cooking! Follow me on Instagram and Subscribe to my newsletter more delicious recipes, travel inspiration, and behind-the-scenes content.
Must Love Garlic says
So flavorful, quick, and easy.