Description
Comfort food at its finest, featuring succulent chicken bites in a garlic butter sauce served over creamy Parmesan pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs (680g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced, plus extra for the sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the Chicken Bites: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tbsp of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for one minute until aromatic. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until it has melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine the Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it in the creamy Parmesan sauce until it’s evenly coated. Return the chicken bites to the skillet, stirring to combine everything well.
- Serve: Plate the garlic butter chicken and pasta, garnishing with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the fusion of garlicky, cheesy goodness!
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with Greek yogurt or non-dairy milk thickened with cornstarch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken, pasta, garlic butter, parmesan, comfort food