There’s a reason the French linger at the table; meals like this are meant to be savored, even when dinner needs to come together fast. These garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta bring the kind of cozy comfort you’d expect from a tucked away Paris café. Golden seared chicken, silky sauce, and pasta that holds every drop of that garlicky goodness. Mamie would call it un plat qui réchauffe le cœur, a dish that warms the heart without taking all night.
How to make garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta
A one-pan pasta and skillet chicken combo that comes together fast and satisfies deeply. No leftovers, no regrets.
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Garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 bowls 1x
Description
Golden garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta. A quick, indulgent dinner that comes together in just one skillet.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces fettuccine or spaghetti
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved)
- Fresh chopped parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
- Season chicken bites with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Pour in cream, pasta water, and parmesan. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add pasta and toss to coat. Return chicken to the pan and mix gently.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Pro oh là là tip: Let your garlic toast slightly in the butter before adding cream. This brings out sweetness that melts right into the sauce. Use freshly grated parmesan for the creamiest finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Mains & sides
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Pro oh là là tips for the creamiest garlic butter chicken pasta
Give your chicken the patience of a French stovetop. Let it rest in olive oil, garlic powder, and a dash of lemon juice for 10 minutes before cooking. When it hits the pan, resist the urge to stir. Just like a steak, it needs that quiet moment to build a golden crust worthy of a Lyonnais brasserie. As Mamie would say, patience makes flavor. And if you ask Ina Garten, a little lemon never hurt.
Balance the richness with a touch of brightness. Serve this dish with a lemony cucumber salad or pair it with roasted garlic green beans, the way you’d find contrasting sides in a Provençal table d’hôte. The greens cut through the cream, letting each bite feel just right. Want extra depth? Add a splash of chicken broth with the cream for a richer sauce.
If you’re saving some for tomorrow, channel your inner Parisienne: reheat slowly, gently, with a splash of milk in a skillet. No microwave, s’il vous plaît. Cream sauces are delicate things, like silk scarves or soufflés, and deserve a soft touch. This is the kind of dish that even picky eaters ask for again, so you’ll want to treat the leftovers well.
Garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are juicier and more forgiving. Just trim excess fat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer. They turn out extra tender, and even picky eaters tend to love the buttery, golden flavor in this dish.
What kind of pasta works best?
Penne, fusilli, or shells work best because their ridges hold the sauce. They pair perfectly with the garlic butter chicken bites for bite-sized satisfaction in every forkful. Spaghetti or linguine are fine too, but they don’t cling to the creamy parmesan as well.
How do I prevent the sauce from clumping?
Use low heat when adding cheese and whisk continuously. Avoid pre-grated cheese if possible. If the sauce gets too thick, add a bit of warm pasta water or milk to smooth it out.
Can I make garlic butter chicken bites with pasta ahead of time?
You can cook the pasta and chicken ahead, but wait to combine with the sauce until ready to serve. Otherwise, the pasta may absorb the sauce and dry out.
Does it reheat well?
Yes, but gently. Reheat your garlic butter chicken pasta on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce. Avoid high heat, which can make the chicken rubbery.
Is garlic butter chicken pasta freezer-friendly?
Not really. The dairy-based sauce tends to separate after freezing and thawing. It’s better to refrigerate leftovers and eat within 3 days for best flavor and texture.
There’s something quietly luxurious about a dish like this. These garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta don’t shout for attention, they simply charm you one forkful at a time. The sauce clings just so, the chicken hums with golden flavor, and somehow it feels both comforting and a little indulgent, like slipping into something silky after a long day.
Serve this dish up for friends, or just for yourself, and let the warmth do the rest.
Bon appétit!
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Hungry for more? Let these chicken recipes keep the comfort going:
Honey BBQ chicken mac and cheese
Instant pot shredded chicken tacos
Cajun chicken sloppy joes
Baked chicken cutlets