Description
Garlic butter chicken bites parmesan pasta brings together tender chicken pieces tossed in aromatic garlic butter that coats every strand of pasta for a simple dinner that feels special on your table. Crispy parmesan finishes everything off, giving you a dish that comes together quickly when you need something satisfying for your family.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces pasta of your choice
Sauce and Dairy:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add your 8 oz of pasta and cook for the time listed on the package until tender, usually 8-12 minutes depending on the shape you choose.
- Drain your cooked pasta in a colander and set it aside while you focus on the chicken.
- Place your skillet on the stove and melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes until it’s foamy and fragrant.
- Add your 4 minced garlic cloves to the melted butter and let them cook for exactly 1 minute, stirring gently so the garlic becomes fragrant without browning.
- Cut your 1 lb chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and add them to the skillet along with 1 teaspoon of paprika, then season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Cook your chicken pieces over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until each piece turns golden brown and feels firm when you press it.
- Reduce your heat to medium-low and carefully pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring everything together so the cream mixes with the browned bits stuck to your pan.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts completely and creates a silky sauce.
- Add your drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Transfer your finished dish to serving bowls and top with fresh chopped parsley right before you serve it.
Notes
- Don’t skip browning your chicken properly because it builds flavor that makes the whole dish taste richer and more developed.
- Add your cream slowly and keep the heat low once it goes in, since high heat can cause it to break and separate instead of turning silky and smooth.
- Grate your Parmesan cheese fresh rather than using the pre-shredded kind, as the powder coating on shredded cheese prevents it from melting into a creamy sauce as smoothly.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of chicken broth and a splash of cream, though your sauce won’t be quite as rich and thick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sautéed Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 755 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 49 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg