Description
Tender garlic butter chicken bites paired with creamy Parmesan pasta create an easy, flavorful one-pan dinner. This rich and buttery Italian-American dish is packed with garlic and comes together in under 40 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
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 Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Add Garlic and Parsley: Stir the minced garlic into the chicken and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the chicken, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Creamy Sauce: In a separate skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Parmesan and Seasoning: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, stirring continuously 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 creamy Parmesan sauce, tossing to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, stir in the reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta and top with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with extra chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli to the pasta for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese results in a creamier, smoother sauce compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- For extra flavor and presentation, finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
