Discover the rich flavors of Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta, a quick and comforting dinner recipe perfect for any night of the week. This dish blends the luscious creaminess of butter chicken with perfectly cooked pasta, creating a meal that feels indulgent yet comes together effortlessly. Whether you’re after a hearty family dinner or a satisfying weeknight treat, Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta hits all the right notes of flavor and texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Comfort: Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings.
Rich Flavor Fusion: Combines the warm, spicy notes of classic butter chicken with smooth, creamy pasta sauce.
Versatile Meal: Easily adaptable to any protein preferences or dietary tweaks without losing its delicious character.
Family-Friendly: Loved by kids and adults alike, making dinner stress-free and enjoyable for everyone.
One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup required since most of the cooking happens all in one pan or pot.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta are simple yet essential. Each item plays a specific role in bringing out the dish’s rich taste, creamy texture, and vibrant color, ensuring a perfectly balanced meal every time.

Chicken breast or thighs: Tender, protein-packed pieces that soak up the flavorful sauce beautifully.
Butter and cream: Forms the luscious base of the sauce that coats every pasta strand with richness.
Garlic and ginger: Fresh aromatics that add warmth and depth of flavor.
Tomato puree or crushed tomatoes: Provides a tangy brightness and classic butter chicken color.
Spices (garam masala, cumin, turmeric): Essential to delivering the authentic Indian-inspired taste.
Pasta (penne or fusilli recommended): Holds the sauce well and adds bite to the dish.
Fresh cilantro and lemon juice: Adds a fresh finishing touch that balances the richness.

Variations for Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta

One of the best parts about Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta is how easy it is to customize based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences. Feel free to tweak this recipe to make it uniquely yours!

Vegetarian twist: Swap chicken for roasted vegetables like cauliflower or paneer for a meat-free delight.
Spice level adjustment: Increase or reduce chili powder to suit your heat tolerance perfectly.
Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta: Use these options for a healthier or allergy-friendly version.
Dairy-free alternative: Replace cream with coconut milk and butter with olive oil for a creamy but non-dairy sauce.
Extra protein boost: Add cooked chickpeas or sautéed mushrooms along with chicken for more texture and nutrition.

Why Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta Steals Dinner

How to Make Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Season with salt and a pinch of your chosen spices, then sauté in butter until golden and cooked through. Set aside to keep warm.

Step 2: Build the Sauce Base

In the same pan, melt additional butter and sauté finely chopped garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add tomato puree and spices, allowing the mixture to simmer gently and develop its rich flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente, then drain and set aside.

Step 4: Combine and Creamify

Return the cooked chicken to the sauce pan, then stir in cream and simmer briefly until the sauce thickens slightly, becoming velvety smooth. Toss in the cooked pasta and mix well to coat every piece.

Step 5: Final Touches

Squeeze fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the pasta before serving for bursts of brightness and herbaceous aroma.

Pro Tips for Making Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta

Use fresh ingredients: Fresh garlic, ginger, and cilantro make a huge difference in flavor authenticity.
Don’t overcook pasta: Aim for al dente texture to avoid mushiness when mixing with the sauce.
Slowly add cream: Gradually stir in cream to avoid curdling and maintain a silky sauce.
Adjust seasoning last: Taste and tweak salt and spices near the end for a perfect balance.
Butter quality matters: Use good-quality butter for a richer, smoother mouthfeel.

How to Serve Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta

Garnishes

Top your dish with freshly chopped cilantro, a sprinkle of crushed chili flakes for extra kick, or a light drizzle of cream to enhance visual appeal and flavor layers.

Side Dishes

Pair with garlic naan or warm flatbread to scoop up every last bit of sauce, or serve alongside a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the pasta in rustic bowls for a cozy, family-style meal or plate it elegantly with a lemon wedge and herb sprigs for guests who appreciate a touch of sophistication.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making for an even tastier second serving.

Freezing

You can freeze Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta, but for best texture, store the sauce and pasta separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving at high heat to prevent separation.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While penne and fusilli are great for holding sauce, spaghetti, fettuccine, or even rigatoni work wonderfully with Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta.

Is this dish spicy?

The spice level can be easily controlled by adjusting the chili powder or garam masala, making the recipe flexible for all spice preferences.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, substitute cream with coconut milk and butter with olive oil or vegan butter for a creamy and dairy-free alternative.

How long does it take to prepare Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta?

From start to finish, this dish typically takes about 25 to 30 minutes, making it a quick and satisfying dinner option.

What wine pairs well with Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta?

A crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or a lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the creamy, spiced flavors beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug at the end of a busy day. Its rich, comforting flavors, quick preparation time, and adaptability make it a true dinner winner. Don’t wait to try this irresistible dish — it’s sure to become your new go-to weeknight favorite!

Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta

Print Recipe

Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta is a quick and comforting dinner recipe combining the rich, spiced flavors of classic butter chicken with creamy pasta sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights and is loved by the whole family. It offers a smooth buttery sauce enriched with cream, aromatic garlic and ginger, and a blend of traditional Indian spices, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for an indulgent yet effortless supper.

Author: Lina
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Indian-inspired fusion
Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

400g chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks

Sauce Base

3 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
200g tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 to 1 tsp chili powder (optional, adjust for spice level)
150ml heavy cream

Pasta

250g penne or fusilli pasta

Finishing Touches

Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and a pinch of your chosen spices. Heat 1.5 tbsp butter in a pan over medium heat and sauté the chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside to keep warm.
Build the Sauce Base: In the same pan, melt the remaining 1.5 tbsp butter. Add finely chopped garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in tomato puree and spices (garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder if using). Simmer gently for 5-7 minutes to develop rich flavors.
Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Combine and Creamify: Return the cooked chicken to the sauce pan. Slowly stir in the cream and simmer briefly until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes velvety smooth. Add the cooked pasta and toss well, making sure every piece is thoroughly coated in the creamy butter chicken sauce.
Final Touches: Remove from heat and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta. Sprinkle generously with chopped cilantro before serving to add brightness and fresh aroma.

Notes

Use fresh garlic, ginger, and cilantro for the most authentic flavors.
Do not overcook the pasta; aim for al dente texture to maintain bite when mixed with the sauce.
Gradually add cream to the sauce to prevent curdling and keep it silky smooth.
Adjust seasoning at the end by tasting and tweaking salt and spices for balanced flavors.
Use high-quality butter for a richer and smoother mouthfeel.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 550 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 480 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: butter chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, Indian pasta recipe, quick dinner, one-pot meal, creamy butter chicken