Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Crispy garlic butter chicken bites dance deliciously alongside creamy parmesan pasta, promising an irresistible meal.

Weeknight dinners demand quick solutions that feel special and taste extraordinary.

Tender chicken pieces glisten with rich, golden butter that locks in incredible flavor.

Parmesan cheese adds a luxurious depth that makes every bite memorable.

Fragrant garlic weaves magic through each morsel, creating layers of mouthwatering complexity.

Home cooks can whip up this restaurant-quality dish in under thirty minutes.

Comfort meets elegance on a single plate, inviting you to savor every delectable forkful.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Creamy Parmesan Pasta: Your Next Favorite Combo

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Whip up this delectable chicken pasta dish in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a restaurant-quality meal without extensive cooking skills.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Combines kid-friendly chicken bites with creamy pasta, making it a crowd-pleaser that satisfies both adults and children with its rich, comforting taste.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires simple pantry staples like chicken, pasta, butter, and Parmesan, allowing home cooks to create a gourmet-style meal without complicated or expensive ingredients.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimizes kitchen cleanup by using the same skillet for cooking chicken and creating the garlic butter sauce, reducing dish washing and saving precious time after dinner.

Parmesan Chicken Bites With Pasta Ingredients

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein source with tender, bite-sized pieces that absorb flavors perfectly. Choose fresh, high-quality chicken for best results.

• Unsalted Butter, Olive Oil: Rich, creamy base for cooking that adds depth and prevents sticking. Butter provides richness, while olive oil helps with even cooking.

• Garlic, Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that create a savory and slightly spicy profile. Fresh garlic provides maximum flavor intensity. Paprika adds warmth and color to the chicken bites.

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Parmesan Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Start by cooking pasta according to package directions.

Carefully set aside some pasta water for the creamy sauce later.

The starchy water will help create a silky, smooth texture.

Step 2: Sizzle Chicken Pieces

Heat a skillet with olive oil and butter over medium heat.

• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook the chicken until it turns golden brown on all sides.

Once done, transfer the chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Garlic Butter Magic

Using the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.

Sauté until the kitchen fills with a mouthwatering fragrance.

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss until each piece gets coated in the buttery goodness.

Step 4: Craft Creamy Parmesan Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Reserved pasta water

Simmer over low heat, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, thick consistency.

For a spicy kick, sprinkle in some red chili flakes.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Gently fold the cooked pasta into the Parmesan sauce, ensuring each strand gets beautifully coated.

Transfer to serving plates and crown with the garlic butter chicken bites.

Step 6: Final Flourish

Enhance the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or an extra shower of Parmesan cheese.

Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Step-by-Step Help for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Pasta

• Reserve the starchy pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to your noodles and adds depth of flavor.
• Ensure chicken pieces are dry before cooking to achieve a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and creates delicious caramelization.
• Sauté minced garlic quickly to prevent burning, which can make the sauce bitter and ruin the delicate flavor profile.
• Keep the heat low when making the Parmesan sauce to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Adjust red chili flakes to control heat level, making the dish suitable for different spice tolerances and personal preferences.

Reheat Chicken Bites And Parmesan Pasta Easily

• Store leftover chicken and pasta separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Place chicken and pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm chicken in a skillet with a splash of butter over medium-low heat. Reheat pasta in a separate pan with a little cream or reserved pasta water to restore moisture and prevent sticking.
• Freeze chicken and pasta in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using microwave or stovetop methods.

Light Bites for Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

• Pair Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta with Bright White Wine: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the creamy Parmesan sauce, refreshing your palate with its zesty citrus notes and balanced acidity.
• Create Fresh Herb Salad Side: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's heavy cream and butter components, adding a tangy and peppery counterpoint that enhances the chicken's garlic flavors.
• Select Complementary Bread Pairing: Serve warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic focaccia to soak up the delicious Parmesan sauce, providing a satisfying textural contrast and additional flavor dimension to the meal.
• Enhance with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Roast seasonal vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil and herbs to add color, nutrition, and a caramelized sweetness that complements the creamy pasta's richness.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Pasta Pairings

• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, gluten-free alternative that cuts down on carbohydrates while maintaining the creamy, garlicky flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Option: Substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to create a lactose-free version that still provides rich, creamy texture.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with crispy tofu or tempeh cubes, seasoned similarly and pan-fried to achieve a golden exterior, maintaining the dish's protein content and satisfying texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Transformation: Add oregano, swap red chili flakes for harissa paste, and include kalamata olives to give the recipe a Greek-inspired flavor profile with increased heat and complexity.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, chicken breast works perfectly. Just ensure you cut it into bite-sized pieces and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F to prevent dryness.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from optional red chili flakes. You can easily control the spice level by adding more or less chili flakes, or omitting them completely.

• What if I don't have heavy cream?

You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce might be slightly less rich and creamy. For a lighter version, use milk and add a bit more Parmesan cheese to maintain thickness.

• How do I prevent the chicken from becoming tough?

Cook the chicken over medium heat and avoid overcooking. Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking, and remove from heat as soon as they turn golden brown and reach the safe internal temperature.

Moist Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta promise a delightful culinary journey through rich, comforting flavors. Perfectly seasoned chicken nestled alongside silky pasta will have diners craving each luxurious, golden-kissed bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Fats and Aromatics:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Boil the pasta in generously salted water until perfectly al dente, carefully setting aside a portion of the starchy cooking liquid for later use in the sauce.
2. While pasta cooks, slice chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces and season thoroughly with a blend of paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Heat a combination of olive oil and butter in a wide skillet, creating a golden cooking surface that will help develop rich caramelization on the chicken pieces.
4. Sear chicken chunks over medium-high heat, rotating occasionally to ensure even browning and creating a crisp exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
5. Once chicken achieves a deep golden color and is cooked through, transfer to a clean plate and let rest momentarily.
6. In the same skillet, reduce heat and introduce finely minced garlic, allowing the aromatic oils to release and create a fragrant base for the sauce.
7. Return chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to coat each piece with the intense garlic butter mixture.
8. Simultaneously, prepare the creamy Parmesan sauce by whisking together heavy cream, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and reserved pasta water in a separate pan.
9. Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring continuously until it reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency, adding red chili flakes for optional heat.
10. Fold the perfectly cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is elegantly coated.
11. Plate the pasta and crown with the garlicky chicken bites, finishing with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

• Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, creamy flavor profile of the original dish.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities while keeping the same delicious texture.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before cooking to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• If watching calories, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce butter quantity without compromising the sauce’s luxurious consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 120mg