Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe

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There are few dishes that evoke such comfort and satisfaction as a creamy, cheesy pasta paired with savory, juicy chicken bites. This recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta is one of those ultimate comfort foods that’s guaranteed to make your taste buds sing and your stomach feel content. The rich, creamy pasta combined with the deliciously golden, tender chicken bites, all infused with the bold flavors of garlic butter, is a meal you’ll want to make over and over again.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken

• Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Place them on a cutting board and slice each breast into bite-sized pieces (about 1 to 1.5-inch cubes). This helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly.
• Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly in the seasoning.

2. Cook the Chicken

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan—if necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
• Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). The chicken should have a nice crisp exterior while staying juicy inside.
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. You’ll use the same skillet for the garlic butter sauce, so don’t clean it just yet!

3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

• In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
• Stir in the lemon juice, scraping up any flavorful bits of chicken stuck to the pan.
• Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it in the garlic butter sauce. Let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Adjust the seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or herbs if needed.
• Once the chicken is coated in the buttery sauce, remove the skillet from the heat and set the chicken aside.

4. Prepare the Pasta

• While cooking the chicken, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (typically around 9-11 minutes, depending on the type of pasta). Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
• Tip: Adding a good amount of salt to the pasta water enhances the flavor of the pasta itself, making the dish more flavorful overall.

5. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

• In the same skillet you used for the chicken (to capture all that flavor), melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Slowly pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
• Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly (about 3-4 minutes).
• Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and continue to stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.
• Season the creamy sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

6. Combine the Pasta and Sauce

• Add the cooked pasta to the creamy parmesan sauce, tossing it gently to coat the pasta in the rich sauce. If the sauce needs to be thinned out, add more of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired creaminess.
• Once the pasta is coated in the sauce, gently fold in the garlic butter chicken bites, ensuring the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
• If you like, you can top the dish with more parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley for an extra burst of flavor and color.

7. Serve and Enjoy

• Serve the garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta in generous portions. You can garnish with extra parmesan, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or more chopped parsley for added color and freshness.
• Pair with a crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, and a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad for the perfect meal.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta

• Use Fresh Garlic: The flavor of fresh garlic is far superior to pre-minced garlic. If you have a garlic press, it’ll make the job easier.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: To ensure your chicken stays juicy, avoid overcooking it. Once the internal temperature reaches 165°F, it’s done. Use a meat thermometer for the best results.
• Grate Your Own Parmesan: Pre-grated parmesan can be waxy and doesn’t melt as smoothly. Freshly grated parmesan gives the sauce that perfect creamy texture.
• Reserve Pasta Water: This starchy water is a game-changer when it comes to thickening sauces and ensuring they adhere perfectly to the pasta.
• Make it Spicy: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes to both the chicken sauce and the pasta sauce. You can also toss in some diced jalapeños if you want to kick things up a notch.

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta is the perfect recipe for when you want to indulge in a rich, comforting meal. The tender, garlicky chicken bites combined with the smooth, creamy pasta are a match made in heaven. It’s an easy yet impressive dish that’s sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling full and content. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion, a weeknight dinner, or a cozy family meal, this dish will be a hit every time.

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Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
25 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:
• 2 large chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized cubes)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
• For the Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
• 8 oz pasta (such as fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and oregano.
3. Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer, and cook until golden brown on all sides (about 6-8 minutes). Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
5. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
6. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Cook for another 2 minutes until everything is well combined. Set aside.

For the Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened (about 3-4 minutes).
4. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
5. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes.
6. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more chicken broth or pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Assembly:

1. Serve the creamy Parmesan pasta onto plates and top with the garlic butter chicken bites.
2. Garnish with fresh parsley for an extra touch of color and flavor.

Notes

• You can use any type of pasta you prefer for this recipe.
• To add extra richness, consider stirring in a tablespoon of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese into the sauce.
• If you’re looking to make it spicier, you can sprinkle in some red pepper flakes while cooking the chicken or pasta sauce.
• You can use leftover rotisserie chicken for a quicker alternative to cooking the chicken bites from scratch.

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