Description
This Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken cubes cooked in garlic butter, paired with pasta coated in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this meal combines simple ingredients to create a deliciously satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Garlic Butter
- 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
Pasta and 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 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 and set 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.
- Add garlic to chicken: Add the minced garlic to the skillet 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.
- Add liquids: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cheese and season: Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce, tossing until the pasta is coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Add the chicken: Return the cooked garlic butter chicken bites to the skillet and toss everything together until combined.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese to achieve a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency easily.
- You can substitute chicken broth with pasta water for a lighter flavor.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- To make it lower fat, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
