Garlic Butter Bucatini Chicken (Printer View)

Al dente bucatini in garlic butter with shredded chicken and fresh parsley topping for a quick, flavorful dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz bucatini pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3 large garlic cloves, finely minced

→ Topping

04 - 7 oz cooked, shredded chicken breast (rotisserie or poached)
05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
07 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant without browning.
03 - Add drained bucatini to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in garlic butter. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
04 - Season the pasta mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Divide between plates.
05 - Top each portion with shredded chicken and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent an hour cooking but takes less time than waiting for delivery.
  • The garlic butter clings to every strand of bucatini in a way that feels almost indulgent.
  • You can use leftover chicken or store-bought rotisserie and nobody will ever know.
  • It's the kind of meal that feels both comforting and a little bit elegant.
02 -
  • Don't skip salting the pasta water, it should taste like the sea or your finished dish will be flat.
  • Watch the garlic closely, burnt garlic turns bitter and there's no coming back from it.
  • Reserve that pasta water before you drain, I've forgotten too many times and regretted it every single one.
03 -
  • Use a skillet large enough to toss the pasta freely, it makes coating everything so much easier.
  • If you want extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of grated Parmesan at the end, it melts into the butter and clings to every bite.
  • Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente, it'll finish cooking in the skillet and soak up more flavor.
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