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 sautéed in aromatic garlic butter, all nestled atop smooth, cheesy noodles. This easy, crowd-pleasing dinner comes together quickly for a weeknight win—no fancy ingredients required!

Ingredients

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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

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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 5–6 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 sauté 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 sauté 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