Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe combines tender, golden-browned chicken pieces sautéed with garlic and butter, tossed in a luscious homemade creamy parmesan sauce served over al dente fettuccine or linguine. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy stovetop meal is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with a rich, cheesy flavor and beautiful garlic aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Mince the garlic cloves finely and cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until they are golden brown and no longer pink in the center, approximately 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally for even browning.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic along with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté everything together for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt, infusing the chicken with rich flavor.
- Create the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency that coats the chicken pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve a cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Combine and Serve: Return the drained pasta to the skillet with the chicken and parmesan sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick, as the starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier variation.
- For a lower-fat option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright flavor and pretty garnish but is optional.
