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Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

A weeknight showstopper that combines rich, savory flavors with comforting textures in a creamy pasta dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ lbs (680g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp butter, divided
  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Season the chicken. In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Cook the chicken bites. Heat the olive oil and 2 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using.
  4. Make the creamy Parmesan sauce. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter and sauté the garlic until aromatic. Add the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan until smooth.
  5. Combine the pasta and chicken. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and heat through.
  6. Serve. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Pat the chicken dry before seasoning for better browning. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken, garlic, pasta, creamy, Parmesan, weeknight dinner