Description
Succulent garlic butter chicken bites dance alongside creamy parmesan pasta in this irresistible comfort meal. Rich flavors and simple ingredients combine to create a restaurant-quality dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Fats and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 8 garlic cloves, minced (4 for chicken, 4 for sauce)
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and prepare pasta according to package guidelines, ensuring it reaches an ideal al dente texture. Strain the pasta and reserve to the side.
- Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil with butter over medium-high temperature. Introduce chicken pieces seasoned with paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Sauté the chicken, stirring periodically, until achieving a golden-brown exterior and thoroughly cooked interior, approximately 5-6 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, allowing aromatics to develop for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to a separate plate, maintaining the flavorful skillet remnants for the upcoming sauce creation.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt additional butter. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to become fragrant and translucent.
- Stream heavy cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious base. Gently simmer while gradually whisking in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Introduce the reserved pasta into the creamy Parmesan sauce, thoroughly coating each strand with the rich mixture.
- Reintegrate the seared chicken bites into the pasta, gently stirring to ensure uniform distribution of flavors.
- Finish the dish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley across the top, creating a vibrant and appetizing presentation. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Adjust pasta doneness by checking package instructions and tasting for that perfect al dente texture, ensuring a firm bite without being hard.
- Prevent chicken from becoming tough by not overcrowding the skillet, which allows proper browning and maintains juicy, tender meat.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives for diet-specific requirements.
- Reduce sauce calories by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, maintaining creamy consistency while cutting down on fat content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 730
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 160mg