Description
Tender garlic butter chicken bites paired with creamy Parmesan pasta create an easy one-pan dinner that’s rich, buttery, and bursting with garlic flavor. This restaurant-worthy Italian-American meal comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until it reaches al dente texture. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the rest.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Add Garlic and Parsley: Stir in the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the chicken, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: In a separate large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Simmer Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and gently bring it to a simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Add Parmesan and Seasonings: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, mixing until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water gradually to achieve desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta and top each serving with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli to the pasta for extra vegetables and added nutrition.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese ensures a creamier, smoother sauce compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- For an enhanced presentation and flavor, finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
