Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta Flavorful Family Meal

Ingredients

• 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
• 2 pieces boneless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• to taste salt and pepper
• for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken, and season it with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Combine Ingredients: Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for another 3 minutes until they start to soften. Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Mix Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to help the sauce coat the pasta. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
6. Serve: Divide the pasta into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese if desired.