Description
A quick and delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe featuring tender chicken in a rich garlic butter sauce paired with a luscious, cheesy pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Pasta & Sauce:
- 8 oz pasta of choice (linguine, fettuccine, or penne)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Season chicken with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
- Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Lower heat and add butter and minced garlic, stirring to coat the chicken.
- Cook for another 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant, then remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
- Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- In the same skillet, add butter and heavy cream, stirring well.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then gradually add Parmesan cheese while stirring to create a smooth sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water or chicken broth to loosen it.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- Return chicken bites to the skillet and mix everything together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding red pepper flakes for heat or lemon juice for brightness.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Protein Swap: Try shrimp, salmon, or tofu for a variation.
- Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
- Extra Veggies: Add spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for more flavor.
- Cheese Twist: Use Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Garlic butter chicken, creamy Parmesan pasta, easy chicken dinner, weeknight pasta, garlic Parmesan sauce