Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. Juicy, seasoned chicken bites are pan-seared to golden perfection and paired with a velvety Parmesan sauce over tender pasta. It’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for any night of the week!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Bites:
- 1 pound chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season and Cook the Chicken
- Toss the chicken pieces with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Prepare the Parmesan Sauce
- In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the heavy cream and gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Combine and Serve
- Add the cooked pasta to the Parmesan sauce and toss until fully coated.
- Return the chicken bites to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Serve the pasta on plates, topped with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Chicken Options: Boneless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative to chicken breasts for a juicier result.
- Cheese Choice: Always use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk or broth to refresh the sauce.
- Customizations: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American