Description
Delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Bites served with a creamy Parmesan pasta sauce. Tender chicken pieces are perfectly seared and tossed with fettuccine in a rich and flavorful garlic butter cream sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. An easy, family-friendly American-Italian main course perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Sauce:
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to evenly coat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Sauté the minced garlic and red pepper flakes for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water, whisking continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Return the seared chicken to the pan and stir everything together. Heat through for 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving warm. Enjoy your flavorful garlic butter chicken bites with creamy pasta.
Notes
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for extra flavor and color.
- This recipe works well with any short or long pasta shape like penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted for preferred spice level.
- Reserve some pasta water to ensure the sauce reaches desired consistency and creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
