Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe is a quick and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken pieces sautéed with fragrant garlic and butter come together with a rich, creamy parmesan sauce tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or linguine. Garnished with fresh parsley, this comforting dish delivers rich flavors in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Mince the garlic cloves finely and cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté until they are golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Once the chicken is nearly done, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, then sauté the mixture for about one minute until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
- Create the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into the skillet. Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and mix well to form a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the fettuccine or linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Combine and Serve: Return the drained pasta to the skillet with the chicken and creamy sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your preferred sauce consistency. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the garlic when sautéing; it should be fragrant but not browned.
- Reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce and helps it bind to the pasta perfectly.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce but it may be less rich.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts better and delivers superior flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- For a dairy-free variation, use vegan butter, non-dairy cream, and dairy-free cheese alternatives.
