Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe features tender bites of chicken sautéed in garlic butter, tossed with long pasta and a rich, creamy parmesan sauce. Perfect for a quick and comforting weeknight meal, it combines savory flavors and a velvety texture in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Garlic Butter
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4-5 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup unsalted butter, divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces long pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients including chicken, garlic, butter, pasta, cream, parmesan, and seasonings for a smooth cooking flow.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt half of the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, releasing its aroma.
- Cook Chicken Bites: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes, ensuring they are cooked through.
- Add Butter and Garlic: Stir in the remaining butter and more minced garlic into the skillet. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3 minutes to infuse additional flavor into the chicken.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream while stirring. Gradually add the grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is creamy, smooth, and well combined.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken and creamy sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for a burst of color and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed for a silky texture.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese, not pre-grated, for best melting and flavor.
- Can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for juicier bites.
- To prep ahead, cook chicken and pasta separately; assemble and heat the sauce just before serving.
