Description
Creamy, comforting and packed with flavor, this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Pasta recipe is a one-skillet weeknight wonder that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- Chicken breast, cubed into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (plus 1 tbsp for sauce)
- 2–3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 oz pasta of your choice (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken bites with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds. Pour in heavy cream and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Cook and Combine Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, and extra Parmesan. Serve warm.
Notes
For extra richness, finish the dish with a knob of butter before serving. Use rotisserie chicken as a time-saving option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, creamy pasta, chicken pasta skillet, quick dinner recipe