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Garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan penne pasta, garnished with herbs and served on a rustic white plate

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate comfort food dish—featuring juicy, golden-seared chicken bites infused with garlic butter and tossed in a rich, velvety parmesan cream sauce over perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a quick, one-pan dinner ready in under 45 minutes that delivers restaurant-style flavor with minimal effort. Ideal for weeknights, date nights, or anytime you crave cozy, satisfying food.

  • Total Time: 43 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.52 lbs boneless (skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 34 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 🍝 For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
  • 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli preferred)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • 1½ cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • ¼½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 12 oz of pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape) to al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  3. Start the Sauce
  4. In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add 1 cup chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits.
  5. Cream It Up
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in 1.5 cups heavy cream. Let it bubble gently, then stir in 1.5 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth.
  7. Adjust Consistency
  8. If it gets too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until your desired texture is reached.
  9. Combine Pasta and Chicken
  10. Toss the drained pasta into the sauce, then gently fold in the cooked chicken bites. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes.
  11. Final Touches
  12. Add fresh parsley or chopped basil for brightness. Sprinkle extra parmesan and black pepper before serving.

Notes


🍽️ Nutrition Information (Per Serving):

NutrientAmount
Calories690 kcal
Total Fat36 g
Saturated Fat17 g
Cholesterol140 mg
Sodium640 mg
Carbohydrates48 g
Fiber3 g
Sugars4 g
Protein42 g

Note: Nutrition values are estimates based on typical ingredients and may vary by brand or substitutions used.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: dinner, Main Course
  • Cuisine: American, italian-inspired