Description
This Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites is a delicious and comforting dish that combines perfectly cooked pasta tossed in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce with tender chicken bites sautéed in garlic butter and seasoned with Italian herbs. Easy to prepare and ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that satisfies with its creamy texture and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta and Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or reserved pasta water)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make the garlic butter chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken cubes and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cook the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken and cook for another 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 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add cream and broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce, tossing until the pasta is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Add the chicken: Return the garlic butter chicken bites to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve the dish hot.
Notes
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer, but long noodles or tubes work best with creamy sauces.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese yields the best melting and flavor results.
- Make sure to cook the chicken thoroughly until no pink remains inside.
- This dish can be made ahead by preparing the chicken and sauce separately, then combining before serving.
