Here’s a comforting and indulgent recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta—perfect for a cozy dinner!
🥘 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Chicken Bites
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti work well)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half for lighter)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken to skillet in a single layer; cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
- During the last 2 minutes, add garlic and remaining 2 tbsp butter, tossing to coat.
- Transfer chicken bites to a plate and cover to keep warm.
3. Prepare Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in chicken broth and cream; bring to a gentle simmer.
- Lower heat, stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens (about 3–4 minutes).
- Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Combine Pasta & Sauce
- Add drained pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat.
- If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until creamy.
5. Serve
- Divide creamy pasta among plates.
- Top with garlic butter chicken bites.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
🌟 Tips & Variations
- Swap chicken for shrimp or salmon for a seafood twist.
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes into the pasta for extra flavor.
- For extra richness, stir in 2 tbsp cream cheese into the sauce.
Would you like me to also create a one-pan version (where pasta cooks directly in the sauce with the chicken) to make cleanup easier?