If youโre searching for a quick and comforting dinner that feels luxurious without any fuss, this Delicious Recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is sure to win your heart. Juicy, golden chicken bites bask in a luscious garlic butter sauce, then perch perfectly on ribbons of velvety, cheesy pasta. Itโs a crowd-pleaser that comes together faster than youโd think, making any weeknight feel special. Once you try it, youโll find yourself craving this Delicious Recipe on repeat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Delicious Recipe truly celebrates simple ingredients that harmonize into something extraordinary. Each component plays an important role, layering textures and flavors for a dish youโll want to savor every bite of.
- Chicken breast: Go for boneless, skinless chicken so it cooks quickly and stays tender in every bite.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: These basic seasonings help the chicken shine and draw out all of the flavors.
- All-purpose flour: A light dusting before searing adds a gentle crust and ensures juiciness inside.
- Butter: Unsalted is best, letting you control the flavor while delivering rich, silky garlic sauce.
- Olive oil: Helps the butter resist burning and gives irresistible golden color to the chicken.
- Garlic: Lots of fresh cloves bring the star flavor to both sauce and chickenโdonโt skimp.
- Pasta (Fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti): Choose your favorite noodle to catch every drop of creamy sauce.
- Heavy cream: The secret to a dreamy, velvety pasta sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is a must for the richest, nuttiest flavor in the creamy sauce.
- Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley brightens up the richness and adds a lovely pop of green.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For a little heat to round out all that creamy, cheesy goodness.
How to Make Delicious Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about an inch eachโthis ensures even cooking and gives you more of those delicious golden edges. Pat dry with a paper towel, then season generously with salt and pepper. This simple prep step is the first hint that this Delicious Recipe is all about flavor in every mouthful.
Step 2: Dust and Sear the Chicken Bites
Toss your seasoned chicken in a light coating of all-purpose flour. This will help lock in juices and create a subtle crust. In a large skillet, heat a mixture of butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken bites in a single layer (work in batches if needed for great browning). Let them sizzle undisturbed until golden on the bottom, about 2โ3 minutes, then flip and finish cooking until just cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a plateโkeep those tasty browned bits in the skillet for the next step!
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Lower the heat slightly and add another pat of butter to the pan. Toss in your minced garlic and sautรฉ until fragrant, just a minute or soโdonโt let it brown! Those savory aromas mean this Delicious Recipeโs flavor base is coming together. Scrape up those caramelized bits from the pan into the butter and garlic, infusing the sauce with rich, meaty notes.
Step 4: Cook and Toss the Pasta
Meanwhile, boil your pasta in well-salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about a cup of starchy pasta water before draining. Add drained pasta directly to your skillet, pouring in heavy cream and that precious reserved pasta water, stirring as the sauce comes together and begins to thicken. Sprinkle in most of your Parmesan, stirring until it melts into silken, cheesy ribbons around the pasta.
Step 5: Bring it All Together
Finally, nestle the cooked chicken bites back into the skillet with the creamy Parmesan pasta. Toss everything so the chicken gets a coating of sauce and the tempting garlic butter flavors are in every twist of noodle. Season with additional salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a hint of heat. Right at the end, shower with fresh parsley and the remaining Parmesan for a picture-perfect Delicious Recipe ready to serve!
How to Serve Delicious Recipe
Garnishes
This dish becomes restaurant-worthy with the right finishing touches. Shower the top with extra Parmesan, a scattering of freshly chopped parsley, and a few grinds of black pepper for vibrance. If you crave a little warmth, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes provides color and subtle heat that makes this Delicious Recipe pop.
Side Dishes
Keep things cozy and classic with a simple green salad tossed in lemony vinaigrette or crisp roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. Crusty bread is a wonderful companion, perfect for mopping up every drop of creamy sauce. These sides balance the richness and create a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve this Delicious Recipe in individual pasta bowls with chicken bites artfully layered on top for a dinner party, or arrange it family-style on a big platter for everyone to dig in. Twirl the pasta into little nests with the chicken perched on each for appetizers, or try layering into small ramekins and baking with extra cheese for a bubbly, gratin-style twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of this Delicious Recipe keep beautifully! Transfer cooled pasta and chicken to an airtight container, refrigerating for up to three days. The flavors meld overnight, making tomorrowโs lunch every bit as tempting as your dinner.
Freezing
While cream-based sauces can sometimes change texture after being frozen, you can absolutely freeze portions if needed. Package individual servings in freezer-safe containers or zip bags, squeezing out excess air. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results and stir well after reheating to bring the sauce back together.
Reheating
Warm leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce as needed. Stir frequently to ensure the chicken stays juicy and the pasta creamy. The microwave works in a pinch, but a stovetop warm-up best preserves the luscious textures of this Delicious Recipe.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs offer even more flavor and stay super juicy. Just trim off excess fat and cut into bite-size pieces as you would with chicken breasts.
Whatโs the best way to reheat this pasta without it drying out?
For the creamiest results, reheat slowly on the stovetop with a splash of cream, milk, or even reserved pasta water. Keep stirring so the sauce becomes glossy and decadent again.
Is there a substitute for heavy cream?
If you want a lighter option, try half-and-half or whole milkโjust add a little extra grated Parmesan to help thicken the sauce. For a dairy-free version, unsweetened coconut cream works surprisingly well!
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Definitely! This Delicious Recipe is fantastic with penne, rigatoni, or even shellsโwhatever you have on hand to catch the creamy sauce will do the trick.
How do I get my chicken bites really golden?
Make sure your pan is hot and avoid crowding the skillet. Let the pieces sear undisturbed before flipping, and donโt skip the flour coatingโthis little step is the secret to the irresistible golden crust.
Final Thoughts
There you have itโa Delicious Recipe thatโs as comforting as it is impressive. Whether youโre treating yourself after a long day or cooking for friends and family, these garlic butter chicken bites with creamy Parmesan pasta are destined to become a regular in your kitchen. Give it a try and let your weeknight dinners shine!
PrintDelicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
- Diet: Halal
Description
Tender garlic butter chicken bites served over a creamy parmesan pasta make for a comforting, flavorful main-course meal. Each bite is packed with juicy, golden chicken sautรฉed in aromatic garlic butter, all nestled atop smooth, cheesy noodles. This easy, crowd-pleasing dinner comes together quickly for a weeknight winโno fancy ingredients required!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra grated parmesan
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season cubed chicken with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 5โ6 minutes, turning to brown all sides, until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic in the last 30 seconds and sautรฉ until fragrant. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Parmesan Pasta Sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sautรฉ for 1 minute until fragrant (but not browned). Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Once the cream simmers, add the parmesan cheese and whisk until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
- Combine and Serve: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing well to coat with the creamy parmesan sauce. Top the pasta with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken cubes in Italian seasoning and olive oil for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Penne or linguine work beautifully in place of fettuccine.
- Use pre-grated parmesan for convenience, but freshly grated will yield a smoother sauce.
- If you like spice, stir a pinch of red pepper flakes into the garlic butter with the chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
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