Description
Delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Bites served over a rich and creamy Parmesan pasta. This easy-to-make dish combines tender, seasoned chicken cooked in garlic butter with a luscious homemade creamy Parmesan sauce tossed with your favorite pasta, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Bites
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes if using. Mix well to ensure even coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Add Garlic Butter: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken thoroughly with the garlic butter. Then remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream, then add garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Melt Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the creamy Parmesan sauce and toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Assemble the Dish: Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta and top it with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for more tenderness and flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly—add gradually.
- Optional chili flakes add a subtle kick but can be omitted for a milder flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best taste and smooth sauce.
- Parsley garnish adds color and a fresh note to the dish.
