Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe offers a rich and satisfying dish featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in garlic butter, combined with fettuccine tossed in a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a delicious and comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine
- Reserved pasta water (about 1/2 cup)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Mince the garlic and cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Grate the Parmesan cheese and chop fresh parsley if using.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic with the chicken. Sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine, then add the grated Parmesan cheese. Let everything melt together into a creamy sauce, stirring frequently.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the chicken and creamy sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta smoothly.
- Garnish and Serve: Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help thin out the sauce if needed and help it cling to the pasta better.
- For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice when making the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Cook chicken pieces evenly by cutting them into uniform sizes.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the pasta at its creamiest and freshest.
