The Best Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Tender chicken bites in a rich garlic butter sauce served over creamy Parmesan pasta. A quick and easy one-pan dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
- Diet: Low-Carb
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken bites and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add pasta water if needed.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss to combine.
- Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Add spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables.