Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a quick and delicious skillet meal featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in garlic butter and combined with a rich, creamy parmesan pasta. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers comforting flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Mince the garlic cloves and cut the boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook them until they are golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then sauté for about one minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not burnt.
- Create the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into the skillet. Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the fettuccine or linguine in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve some of the pasta cooking water.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce for your preferred consistency. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Make sure to not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh visual and flavor touch but is optional.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, although it may be less rich.
