Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make American-Italian main course featuring tender seared chicken pieces cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, served over creamy fettuccine or penne pasta. This comforting dish combines flavorful garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of red pepper flakes for subtle spice, all finished with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cooking Fat and Flavor
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry and season them evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse them with balanced flavor.
- Sear the chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the garlic butter sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Make the creamy sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and gently bring it to a simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the reserved pasta water, whisking continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss pasta and chicken with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat it evenly in the creamy sauce. Return the seared chicken pieces back to the skillet, stirring everything together. Heat through for 1 to 2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a burst of color and freshness before serving immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Consider adding spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and color.
- This recipe works well with any short or long pasta variety such as penne, rigatoni, or linguine.
