Description
Succulent garlic butter chicken bites dance with creamy parmesan pasta in this irresistible comfort meal. Crispy chicken morsels nestled in silky sauce promise a delightful dinner that satisfies your deepest cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Pasta Components:
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, allowing space between each bite to achieve a golden-brown sear.
- Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until exterior is crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and set aside on a clean plate.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic, stirring continuously to prevent burning, and cook until fragrant and lightly golden, approximately 1 minute.
- Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, coating each piece with the garlic butter. Sprinkle dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley over the chicken, tossing to distribute evenly.
- Simultaneously, boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Return empty pasta pot to stove, pour in heavy cream, and simmer on low heat. Gradually whisk in parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add reserved pasta water to the cream sauce, stirring to achieve desired consistency. Fold cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
- Transfer creamy parmesan pasta to serving plates, top with garlic butter chicken bites, and garnish with additional parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture, ensuring each bite is perfectly tender and golden.
- Create space between chicken pieces during searing to develop a beautiful caramelized exterior without steaming the meat, which locks in maximum flavor.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the most luxurious and smooth sauce, avoiding pre-packaged cheese that can contain anti-caking agents affecting texture.
- Transform this dish into a gluten-free option by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta, maintaining the delicious garlic butter chicken essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 715
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg