Description

A flavorful Butter Chicken Pasta recipe that combines tender chicken breast pieces cooked in a rich, spiced tomato and almond butter sauce, tossed with al dente short pasta and finished with fresh cilantro. This fusion dish brings together classic Indian butter chicken spices with comforting pasta for a delicious and easy meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

10.5 oz (300 g) short pasta

Cooking Fats & Oils

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon (20 g) butter

Chicken & Aromatics

1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely chopped

Spices

1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes

Sauces & Cream

1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups (400 ml) tomato sauce (passata)
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 cup (200 ml) half and half (single cream)

Herbs & Seasoning

A handful fresh cilantro (coriander), chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Prepare the pasta al dente by following the package instructions carefully. Before draining, reserve 1 to 2 cups of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large pan over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook until they turn golden brown on all sides, ensuring they are cooked through.
Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion, finely chopped garlic, and fresh ginger to the pan. Cook until the onions become soft and transparent, releasing their aroma without browning excessively.
Spice it up: Sprinkle in the garam masala, cumin, coriander, chili powder, turmeric, and red chili flakes. Stir the spices through the onion mixture and cook briefly for about a minute to awaken their flavors.
Add sauce: Incorporate the tomato paste and tomato sauce (passata) into the pan. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Thicken the sauce: Stir in the almond butter and half and half (single cream). Continue simmering the sauce gently until it thickens to a creamy, luscious consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
Combine and serve: Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, mixing thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated. Add the fresh chopped cilantro and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Reserving pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce thickness without diluting flavor.
Almond butter adds a unique creaminess and nutty flavor; peanut butter can be substituted if preferred.
Use fresh spices for the most vibrant taste.
For a spicier dish, increase the chili powder and red chili flakes quantities.
Half and half can be replaced with light cream or full cream depending on dietary preferences.
Garnishing with cilantro adds a fresh herbal note, but it can be omitted if preferred.