butter chicken pasta

This creamy fusion pasta brings restaurant-quality butter chicken flavors to your dinner table in minutes.

Author

Nahren Recipe Club
August 08, 2025

Hey there!

I've been experimenting with fusion recipes and this butter chicken pasta blew my mind at only $2.45 a serving. Here's how you can make it in 12 mins with just one pan...

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Ingredients (Serves 4, about $2.45 each)

Ingredient

Amount

Est. Cost*

Boneless chicken thighs

1 lb (cut into bite-sized pieces)

$4.99

Penne pasta

12 oz

$1.29

Heavy cream

1/2 cup

$0.75

Tomato sauce

1 cup

$0.89

Butter

3 tbsp

$0.45

Yellow onion

1 medium (diced)

$0.67

Garlic

3 cloves (minced)

$0.25

Garam masala

2 tsp

$0.15

Paprika

1 tsp

$0.08

Ground cumin

1/2 tsp

$0.05

Salt & black pepper

To taste

$0.05

Fresh cilantro

For garnish

$0.15

*Prices pulled with Nahren on August 04 for Athens, GA.

Method

  1. Cook the pasta. Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

  2. Season and cook chicken. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half the garam masala. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

  3. Build the sauce. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic, remaining garam masala, paprika, and cumin. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  4. Add tomato and cream. Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Add heavy cream and let the sauce reduce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

  5. Combine everything. Return chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed to achieve a creamy consistency.

  6. Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Tips

  • Use chicken thighs – They stay tender and add more flavor than chicken breasts in this quick-cooking method.

  • Don't skip the pasta water – The starchy water helps bind the sauce to the pasta for the perfect creamy texture.

  • Adjust the spice – Start with less garam masala if feeding kids, or add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.

Know someone who's tired of boring weeknight pasta? Forward this and give them a flavor upgrade.

See you next week,

Andrew