Ingredients

2 large chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic (minced)

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)

2 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup chicken broth

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

½ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, adds depth of flavor)

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: In a bowl, season the chicken bites with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and set aside.

Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well. Let simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 5: Stir in parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it.

Step 7: Plate the creamy parmesan pasta and top with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with extra parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken bites in a little garlic and lemon juice before cooking.

Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.

Add steamed vegetables like broccoli or spinach into the pasta for added nutrition and color.

Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth to make it suitable for pescatarians.

If you prefer a milder dish, omit the red pepper flakes.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw the chicken completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and proper browning.

What pasta works best for this dish?

Fettuccine, penne, or any pasta that holds sauce well works great. Choose your favorite type to suit your taste.

Dinner

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Introduction