Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in garlic butter, paired with a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce tossed with perfectly al dente pasta. This hearty meal is easy to prepare in about 35 minutes, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked. Add 1 tablespoon butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken in garlic butter. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet, heat the remaining butter and olive oil over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Parmesan sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly.
- Assemble the Dish: Serve the creamy Parmesan pasta topped with garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a smoother texture.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts based on your preference for tenderness or leanness.
- Chili flakes are optional; omit for a milder version.
- Fresh parsley adds color and freshness as garnish but can be omitted if unavailable.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
