Juicy garlic butter chicken bites meet rich, creamy Parmesan pasta in this one-skillet comfort food masterpiece. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this dish delivers indulgent flavor in every bite.
📝 Recipe Overview
🍽 Servings: 4–6
⏱ Total Time: ~35 minutes
🥘 Style: Italian-inspired, One-Pot Meal
📎 Tags: Creamy | Chicken | Pasta | Quick Dinner
🛒 Ingredients
🔸 For the Chicken Bites
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
🔸 For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
12 oz fettuccine or penne
4 tbsp butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup chicken broth
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt & white pepper, to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Additional Parmesan cheese, for serving
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
2️⃣ Season the Chicken
Toss chicken cubes with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika until evenly coated.
3️⃣ Cook the Chicken Bites
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken in a single layer (avoid overcrowding).
Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
Remove and set aside.
4️⃣ Make Garlic Butter
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
Melt 3 tbsp butter and sauté 4 minced garlic cloves until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
Return cooked chicken to the skillet and toss in the garlic butter. Remove and keep warm.
5️⃣ Create the Cream Sauce
In the same pan, melt remaining 4 tbsp butter and sauté 3 minced garlic cloves.
Add heavy cream and chicken broth, whisking to combine.
Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth.
Season with salt, white pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
6️⃣ Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add cooked pasta to the cream sauce, tossing gently to coat.
Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
7️⃣ Final Assembly
Fold in the garlic butter chicken bites.
Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
💡 Tips for Success
Use room temperature cream to prevent curdling.
Don’t overcook the chicken—juicy bites are key.
Fresh Parmesan melts better than pre-grated.
Pasta water is gold—it helps emulsify and thin the sauce as needed.
Serve immediately for the creamiest texture.
🍷 Serving Suggestions
Pair with:
Garlic bread
Simple green salad
Roasted vegetables
A glass of chilled white wine (like Chardonnay)
Let me know if you’d like this formatted for print, turned into a Pinterest pin, or adapted into a one-pan sheet meal version!