#9 in my ‘100 30 Minute Meals’ series — a quick, comforting Butter Chicken Pasta made with butter, ground chicken, garlic, tomato sauce, cream, and a fragrant spice blend.
Why You’ll Love this Butter Chicken Pasta:
- Ready in 30 minutes. A true weeknight-friendly dish that delivers big flavor with minimal fuss.
- Creamy, aromatic, and balanced. Warm spices, tangy tomato, butter, and cream combine for a rich sauce that coats short-cut pasta perfectly.
- Easy to customize. Simple swaps let you make it gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or spicier to suit your family.
Key Ingredients:
- Ground chicken: Quick-cooking lean protein that soaks up the sauce.
- Spice mix: Garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, ground ginger, and a pinch of cinnamon for warmth and complexity.
- Tomato sauce & heavy cream: The base of the sauce—tangy tomato softened by rich cream.
- Butter, garlic & honey: Butter adds silkiness, garlic gives depth, and a touch of honey balances acidity.
Dietary Swaps:
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free short-cut pasta (penne, rotini) and check labels on sauces and spice blends.
- Dairy-free: Replace butter and heavy cream with a vegan butter and full-fat canned coconut milk or another unsweetened dairy-free cream alternative.
- Vegetarian/plant-based: Omit the ground chicken and use plant-based ground “meat” or cooked lentils/chickpeas for protein and texture.
Recipe Variations:
- Add vegetables: Stir in baby spinach, peas, diced bell pepper, or caramelized onions for color and nutrition.
- Swap the protein: Ground turkey, diced chicken breast, or even ground beef work well if you prefer a different flavor.
- Increase the heat: Add cayenne, chili powder, or a spoonful of chili paste for a spicier version.
Tips & Notes:
- Reserve pasta water: Save about ½ cup before draining. A splash of starchy pasta water helps loosen and bind the sauce so it clings to the pasta.
- Balance with a little sweetness: Honey rounds out the acidity of the tomato sauce—don’t skip it, but adjust to taste.
- Simmer gently: After adding the cream, keep the heat low so the sauce thickens without curdling.
Storage & Reheating:
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently: Warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth, cream, or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended—the texture of the cream sauce and pasta can change after thawing.
More 30 Minute Meals You Will Love:
- Easy Veggie Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad
- Lemon Chicken Orzo
- Tuna Olive Pasta
- Chicken & Chorizo Pasta
- Homemade Beef Stroganoff (Quick Version)
Recipe
Butter Chicken Pasta
Made with butter, ground chicken, garlic, tomato sauce, cream, and a blend of aromatic spices. Serves 4. Total time: about 30 minutes.
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 ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the spices for the spice mix and set aside.
- In a large high-sided skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook about 6 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until browned.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in the tomato sauce, honey, and the prepared spice mix. Cook for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly. Thin the sauce with reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve warm.
Notes
- Saving a bit of pasta water is key—its starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta for a silky finish.
- Adjust the honey and spices to taste. For a bolder curry flavor, increase the garam masala slightly; for heat, add cayenne or chili flakes.
- Nutrition values are estimates only: approximately 510 kcal per serving, with about 34 g carbohydrates, 30 g protein, and 28 g fat.
Tried this Butter Chicken Pasta? Please leave a star rating and a short review in the recipe section if you made it—your feedback helps others find this easy 30 minute meal. Enjoy and happy cooking!