Description

Savor the rich flavors of tender garlic butter chicken bites paired perfectly with creamy Parmesan pasta. This delightful dish combines succulent chicken seasoned with paprika and Italian herbs, sautéed to golden perfection in a buttery garlic sauce, served over fettuccine enveloped in a luscious, cheesy cream sauce. Ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner that’s quick to prepare yet impressive and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

2 large chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic (minced)
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped for garnish)

For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta

8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, adds depth of flavor)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: In a bowl, season the chicken bites with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Reduce the heat to medium and add butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Stir together and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Set aside.
Make the Creamy Parmesan Pasta: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well. Let simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Mix until cheese melts and sauce is smooth. Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it.
Assemble & Serve: Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta and top with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with extra parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Reserve pasta water before draining; it helps loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
If you want a lighter dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.
Make sure chicken bites are cooked through and golden for optimal flavor and texture.
This recipe works well with various pasta types; choose your favorite shape.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Creamy Parmesan Pasta, Chicken Bites, Easy Dinner, Italian Pasta Recipe, One Pan Chicken Pasta