GARLIC BUTTER CHICKEN BITES WITH CREAMY PARMESAN PASTA
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish where juicy, seasoned chicken bites are cooked in garlic butter and served over a bed of creamy, cheesy pasta. It’s the ultimate comfort meal for any occasion!
Ingredients
For the chicken bites:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the creamy parmesan pasta:
- 8 oz pasta penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
Cook the chicken bites:
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken bites and season with paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the garlic butter sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Return the chicken bites to the skillet, toss them in the garlic butter, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make the creamy parmesan pasta:
- In a separate large skillet or saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add some of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well-coated with the creamy sauce.
Combine and serve:
- Add the garlic butter chicken bites to the pasta and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the butter for the chicken.
- You can substitute the chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to the pasta for extra flavor and nutrition.
- To make this dish spicier, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the chicken or pasta.
- This dish can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a little extra cream or water to keep the sauce creamy.