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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- While pasta cooks, slice chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces and season thoroughly with a blend of paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- 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.
- Sear chicken chunks over medium-high heat, rotating occasionally to ensure even browning and creating a crisp exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
- Once chicken achieves a deep golden color and is cooked through, transfer to a clean plate and let rest momentarily.
- 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.
- Return chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to coat each piece with the intense garlic butter mixture.
- Simultaneously, prepare the creamy Parmesan sauce by whisking together heavy cream, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and reserved pasta water in a separate pan.
- Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring continuously until it reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency, adding red chili flakes for optional heat.
- Fold the perfectly cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is elegantly coated.
- 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