Description
A delicious and easy-to-make dinner featuring tender garlic butter chicken bites served over creamy parmesan pasta. This flavorful dish combines perfectly seasoned chicken cooked in garlic butter with a rich and creamy parmesan sauce, making it a comforting meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Bites
- 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)
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- 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
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: 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. Reduce the heat to medium and add butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Stir together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Set aside.
- Make the Creamy Parmesan Pasta: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well, and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Assemble & Serve: Plate the creamy parmesan pasta and top it with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with extra parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and meltability.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with thighs for a juicier result.
- You can swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Creamy Parmesan Pasta, Chicken Bites, Easy Dinner, Pasta Recipe, Italian Comfort Food
