Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Pasta is a delightful one-pan meal combining tender, seasoned chicken bites seared to perfection and tossed in a rich, velvety garlic butter sauce with creamy Parmesan pasta. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or an impressive dinner, featuring comforting flavors and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta & Sauce
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside for later use.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the spices.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the garlic butter and whisk continuously for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If desired, add crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, mixing well into the sauce.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the creamy sauce and toss thoroughly to coat each strand or piece with the flavorful sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the seared chicken bites to the skillet and gently stir everything together, warming through for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish for a burst of color and freshness before serving immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- For extra flavor, squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the chicken before serving.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
