Description
Irresistible golden garlic chicken bites elevate classic pasta with Mediterranean flair. Crispy, herb-infused chicken nestles perfectly over silky parmesan noodles, promising a quick gourmet meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Flavoring:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Pasta and Sauce:
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.75 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Garnish and Additional Flavor:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 lemon (for zest and juice)
Instructions
- Dice chicken into uniform bite-sized cubes, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Mince garlic cloves finely to release their robust, aromatic essence and distribute evenly throughout the dish.
- Season chicken pieces thoroughly with salt and black pepper, massaging the spices into the meat for deep flavor penetration.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and fragrant, creating the perfect searing environment.
- Add chicken cubes to the hot skillet, arranging them in a single layer to achieve golden-brown caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pieces are crisp and develop a rich, golden exterior with juicy interior.
- Toss minced garlic into the skillet during the last minute of cooking, allowing it to become golden and intensely aromatic without burning.
- Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- In the same skillet after removing chicken, reduce heat and add butter, creating a silky base for the creamy sauce.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, whisking continuously to create a smooth, luxurious sauce that coats the pan.
- Stir in grated parmesan cheese until fully melted and integrated, creating a velvety, rich pasta coating.
- Drain pasta and immediately transfer to the skillet, tossing to coat completely with the creamy parmesan sauce.
- Gently fold golden garlic chicken bites into the pasta, ensuring even distribution of proteins and flavors.
- Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and freshly grated lemon zest over the top for bright, zesty notes.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish just before serving to add a vibrant, citrusy lift to the rich, creamy pasta.
Notes
- Make chicken cuts super uniform to guarantee consistent cooking and help each bite absorb maximum flavor intensity.
- Crush garlic cloves with the side of your knife before mincing to release more essential oils and enhance overall aromatic profile.
- Pat chicken pieces completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown caramelization and prevent unwanted moisture during searing.
- Utilize high-heat cooking technique to develop delicious crispy exterior while maintaining succulent chicken interior, creating restaurant-quality results at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg