Ingredients
Method
Cook the pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
Sear the chicken bites
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add chicken, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sauté 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Make the cream sauce
- In the same pan, melt more butter. Add garlic, then pour in the cream. Simmer 2–3 minutes, seasoning with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Add the parmesan
- Lower heat and stir in parmesan until melted and smooth.
Toss in the pasta
- Add drained pasta, tossing gently to coat. Splash in pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Bring it together
- Return the chicken to the skillet and toss everything together until hot and glossy.
Garnish and serve
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta – Helpful Tips
✅ Cooking Tips & Techniques
• Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure quick, even cooking. Smaller cuts also absorb flavor better from the garlic butter.
• For that beautiful golden sear, pat chicken dry before seasoning and pan-searing. Use a hot skillet—cast iron works best—for caramelization.
• Don’t rush the garlic butter: sauté garlic gently in butter until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
• When making the creamy Parmesan pasta, stir continuously once you add the cheese to avoid clumping. Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother than pre-shredded. ✅ Serving Suggestions
• Serve with a crisp side salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
• Add steamed broccoli or green beans on the side for freshness and balance.
• Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil, an extra sprinkle of Parmesan, and a wedge of lemon for brightness.
• Want to bulk it up? Toss in sautéed mushrooms or spinach right into the pasta sauce for added texture. ✅ Make-Ahead & Storage
• Chicken bites can be marinated a day in advance with olive oil, garlic, and seasoning for more flavor.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce.
• You can freeze the chicken bites separately for up to 2 months—just defrost in the fridge overnight and sear before serving. The pasta sauce is best made fresh but can be stored for 2–3 days refrigerated. ✅ Tasty Variations to Try
• Spicy Garlic Chicken Pasta – Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the butter for heat.
• Lemon Herb Twist – Mix lemon zest and a squeeze of juice into the pasta sauce for a bright, citrusy note.
• Low-Carb Option – Serve garlic butter chicken over zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash instead of pasta.
• Creamy Tuscan Style – Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and baby spinach into the pasta sauce for an Italian-inspired upgrade.
• Bacon Parmesan Pasta – Crumble in crispy bacon for added texture and smoky richness.
• Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure quick, even cooking. Smaller cuts also absorb flavor better from the garlic butter.
• For that beautiful golden sear, pat chicken dry before seasoning and pan-searing. Use a hot skillet—cast iron works best—for caramelization.
• Don’t rush the garlic butter: sauté garlic gently in butter until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
• When making the creamy Parmesan pasta, stir continuously once you add the cheese to avoid clumping. Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother than pre-shredded. ✅ Serving Suggestions
• Serve with a crisp side salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
• Add steamed broccoli or green beans on the side for freshness and balance.
• Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil, an extra sprinkle of Parmesan, and a wedge of lemon for brightness.
• Want to bulk it up? Toss in sautéed mushrooms or spinach right into the pasta sauce for added texture. ✅ Make-Ahead & Storage
• Chicken bites can be marinated a day in advance with olive oil, garlic, and seasoning for more flavor.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce.
• You can freeze the chicken bites separately for up to 2 months—just defrost in the fridge overnight and sear before serving. The pasta sauce is best made fresh but can be stored for 2–3 days refrigerated. ✅ Tasty Variations to Try
• Spicy Garlic Chicken Pasta – Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the butter for heat.
• Lemon Herb Twist – Mix lemon zest and a squeeze of juice into the pasta sauce for a bright, citrusy note.
• Low-Carb Option – Serve garlic butter chicken over zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash instead of pasta.
• Creamy Tuscan Style – Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and baby spinach into the pasta sauce for an Italian-inspired upgrade.
• Bacon Parmesan Pasta – Crumble in crispy bacon for added texture and smoky richness.