This Brown Butter Spaghetti with Basil and Burrata is an easy pasta recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken, fresh basil, and creamy burrata are tossed with a rich, nutty brown butter sauce for a dish that feels elevated but comes together in under 30 minutes. This quick and flavorful spaghetti recipe is the perfect balance of simple ingredients and restaurant-quality flavor.
My family loves a huge, comforting bowl of any kind of pasta and this brown butter spaghetti with chicken, basil and burrata is the ultimate pasta dish! This recipe is surprisingly easy to make, with only a handful of simple ingredients. If you haven’t browned butter for a recipe before, now is the time to try it! It only takes a few additional minutes of coking the butter, but it adds a delicious rich, nutty flavor to your dish. Topping off the pasta with creamy burrata and fresh basil makes every bite taste amazing. This perfect meal is a weeknight mom win!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Ready in under 30 minutes! – Nothing beats getting a meal on the table fast that is not fast food!
- Simple ingredients – There’s nothing complicated about this ingredient list. No one else needs to know how truly simple this “fancy” meal is!
- Comforting & filling – With pasta, protein and creamy burrata all in this one dish, you will fall in love with your new favorite comfort food meal.
- Family friendly – A big bowl of pasta is always a win with kids! Combine it with chicken and creamy cheese and you can’t go wrong!
Recipe Notes
This brown butter spaghetti recipe is as simple as promised! Just a a handful of simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes are all you’ll need for a family friendly easy weeknight dinner.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Brown Butter Spaghetti with Basil and Burrata to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Spaghetti – One 16 oz box of any brand. I like spaghetti for this recipe, but if you have another type of pasta on hand, you can use it with great results.
- Chicken breast – I use boneless, skinless, thinly sliced chicken breasts for this recipe. You can either slice and pound them yourself, or buy a package of thinly sliced chicken breasts.
- Seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes
- Salt & pepper
- Olive Oil– For cooking the chicken.
- Salted Butter – I love Challenge butter, but you can use any brand you prefer. Use salted butter for best flavor.
- Garlic – I recommend fresh garlic.
- Basil leaves – You’ll need fresh basil leaves for this recipe. Not the dried spice.
- Burrata – You’ll want two standard sized balls of burrata cheese, normally about 4 oz each.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Spicy Brown Butter Spaghetti– You can add additional heat to this dish by increasing the amount of red pepper flakes used in the brown butter sauce for the spaghetti. You can also add some to your chicken seasoning.
- Veggie Brown Butter Spaghetti– Adding vegetables to the spaghetti would make this an even more complete meal. Delicious options could be spinach, mushrooms, or squash.
- Caprese Brown Butter Spaghetti– Easily turn this dish into a caprese version by adding cherry tomatoes! Add the tomatoes as you toss the spaghetti into the brown butter sauce.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Brown Butter Spaghetti with Basil and Burrata.
Season chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper and cook in large skillet over medium-high heat.
Melt butter in skillet and allow to brown. Stir in garlic, salt and red pepper flakes and mix for about 30 seconds. Toss cooked spaghetti in butter sauce.
Mix in fresh basil and add sliced chicken over the top.
Break open burrata and arrange over the top of pasta and chicken. Add additional fresh basil.
Recipe Tips
- Cook chicken in batches – You want your chicken to have some breathing room in the pan, so don’t overcrowd it. You may need to cook it in two batches.
- Serve burrata at room temperature – For best flavor and serving, remove burrata from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature while you prepared the chicken and spaghetti.
- Break burrata open yourself – There’s no need for perfect knife cuts here! Go ahead and tear the burrata open with your fingers and arrange it over the top of the brown butter spaghetti in various sized pieces.
- The perfect sear – Getting the perfect sear on the outside of your chicken isn’t hard, just remember a couple of things! Don’t add chicken until both the pan and olive oil are hot. And once you add the chicken, let it sit for 2-3 minutes before you lift or flip it. This allows it to get that sear and caramalize a bit.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Pre-cook the chicken – The chicken can be cooked in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before serving. Go ahead and slice it in advance, as well!
- Use leftover chicken – If you have chicken leftover from a previous meal, you can absolutely use it in this recipe! Eliminating the chicken cooking step will make this already easy recipe even faster to prepare.
- Measure & chop first – This recipe comes together quickly. Have spices measured and basil chopped, so you can quickly and easily add them when it’s time.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this basil and burrata spaghetti recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Freeze Brown Butter Spaghetti After Cooking
- Allow the chicken to cool completely. Slice chicken, then place in freezer bag or airtight container.
- Make the brown butter sauce per recipe, then allow it to cool completely. Freeze in air-tight container.
- Once ready to eat, heat sauce on stovetop, cook pasta per package directions and toss with sauce and basil. Warm chicken and place over top along with burrata.
What to Serve with Brown Butter Spaghetti with Basil and Burrata
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of nutty brown butter, basil and burrata, it will pair well with many of your favorite Italian side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Pesto Roasted Veggies
- Garlic Bread
- Side Salad with homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette or Healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette
Brown Butter Spaghetti Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Recipe FAQ’s
What is brown butter?
Brown butter is regular, salted butter that is heated, melted and continues to cook a bit longer. It turns golden brown and develops a rich, nutty aroma and flavor. Brown butter adds such depth to savory dishes.
What is burrata?
Burrata is a delicious rich cheese. The thin outer layer is fresh mozzarella. It’s stuffed with stracciatella- a mix of mozzarella, heavy cream and salt.
More EASY Pasta Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy pasta recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake
- Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta
- Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
- Sheet Pan Lasagna
- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
Brown Butter Spaghetti with Basil and Burrata
Ingredients
For the spaghetti
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the brown butter sauce
- 1 cup salted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- 8 ounces burrata cheese
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti in salted water, per package directions. Once done, drain the spaghetti and allow the moisture to evaporate.
- While the spaghetti cooks, combine the ½ teaspoon of each garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and season the chicken.
- Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Place the chicken in the skillet and allow to sear for 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165˚F internal temp.) Remove from the pan and set aside.Depending on the size of your skillet you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Repeat until all chicken is cooked.
- Reduce the heat to medium low. Add the butter to the skillet and melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until butter has become browned. When it is done, you will see brown bits on the bottom of the pan and it will smell fragrant and nutty. This whole process will take about 4-5 minutes.
- Immediately stir in the garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes and mix, cooking for about 30 seconds. Then add the drained and dry pasta to the butter sauce and toss the pasta to coat in the sauce. Then mix in the fresh basil.
- Slice (or dice) the seared chicken and place it on top of the spaghetti, then break open the burrata balls and arrange on top of the pasta. Garnish with more fresh basil and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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