Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions in salted boiling water. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Season the chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if using.
- If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve the creamy Parmesan pasta topped with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4