If there’s one dish that feels like comfort in every bite, it’s this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe. It’s a mouthwatering combo of tender, juicy chicken bites coated in garlic butter and paired with a luscious, creamy Parmesan pasta. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a chef without requiring hours in the kitchen—or a sink full of dishes afterward.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or whenever you want a meal that’s quick, easy, and absolutely satisfying. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: The entire dish comes together in about 30 minutes.
- Full of flavor: Garlic butter and Parmesan are a match made in heaven.
- One-pan wonder: Minimal cleanup means more time to enjoy your meal.
- Customizable: Add veggies or tweak the seasonings to suit your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is all about simple, flavorful ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
For the Chicken Bites:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne work well)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (for garnish)
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
This recipe is divided into two main parts: cooking the chicken bites and preparing the pasta. It’s all super straightforward and comes together beautifully.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Bites
- Season the chicken: In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken pieces with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the garlic butter: Lower the heat, push the chicken to one side of the skillet, and melt the butter. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Toss the chicken in the garlic butter to coat evenly, then remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Melt the Parmesan: Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
- Adjust the consistency: If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
- Toss the pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Parmesan sauce, tossing to coat every strand in the rich, cheesy goodness.
- Top with chicken: Arrange the garlic butter chicken bites on top of the pasta. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.
- Serve immediately: Dish up this amazing combo and enjoy every garlicky, buttery, cheesy bite!
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cooking the chicken in batches ensures a nice sear and prevents steaming.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts better and gives the sauce a richer flavor compared to pre-grated options.
- Adjust to your taste: Add more garlic, spice it up with extra red pepper flakes, or throw in some veggies like spinach or broccoli.
Why This Recipe is a Keeper
This dish is everything you could want in a dinner: quick, easy, and packed with flavor. The chicken is tender and juicy, with just the right amount of garlic butter to make it irresistible. The creamy Parmesan pasta? It’s indulgent but not overly heavy, making it the perfect companion to those chicken bites.
Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder (if you don’t count the pasta pot), which means cleanup is a breeze. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting friends, or just treating yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to hit the spot.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s as easy as it is delicious, this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a must-try. It’s comfort food at its finest, with simple ingredients that come together to create something truly amazing.
Give it a go, and don’t forget to let me know how it turns out! Did you add any personal twists? Maybe some mushrooms or a splash of white wine in the sauce? I’d love to hear about your kitchen adventures.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites:
- 1 lb 450g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 8 oz 225g pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne work well)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Bites
- Season the chicken: In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken pieces with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the garlic butter: Lower the heat, push the chicken to one side of the skillet, and melt the butter. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Toss the chicken in the garlic butter to coat evenly, then remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Melt the Parmesan: Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
- Adjust the consistency: If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
- Toss the pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Parmesan sauce, tossing to coat every strand in the rich, cheesy goodness.
- Top with chicken: Arrange the garlic butter chicken bites on top of the pasta. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.