Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe offers a deliciously rich and comforting meal featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in garlic butter paired with a creamy, cheesy Parmesan pasta sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this dish combines savory flavors with simple preparation to satisfy the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Fats and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz pasta of choice (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken bites and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Make Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens slightly.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet and stir everything together. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh finish and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a juicier option, substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or steamed broccoli for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
