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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 –2 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
- 3 –4 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
- ¼ –½ cup reserved pasta water as needed
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta
- 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.
- Start the Sauce
- 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.
- Cream It Up
- 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.
- Adjust Consistency
- If it gets too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until your desired texture is reached.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken
- Toss the drained pasta into the sauce, then gently fold in the cooked chicken bites. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes.
- Final Touches
- Add fresh parsley or chopped basil for brightness. Sprinkle extra parmesan and black pepper before serving.
Notes
🍽️ Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 690 kcal |
| Total Fat | 36 g |
| Saturated Fat | 17 g |
| Cholesterol | 140 mg |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugars | 4 g |
| Protein | 42 g |