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Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta

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A quick, creamy pasta dish featuring bite-sized chicken in a rich garlic butter sauce with savory Parmesan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated if possible
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just al dente, according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  4. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken in garlic butter and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic for the sauce. Cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  6. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low to medium-low heat.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and is smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of reserved pasta water.
  8. Add the drained pasta and cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything together so the pasta is coated in the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.
  9. Stir in the chopped parsley, then plate, garnish with extra parsley and more grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce butter. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.simplefamilydishes.com/garlic-butter-chicken-bites-with-pasta/