Savory Garlic Butter Chicken and Parmesan Pasta
There is nothing quite like the sight of golden-brown, pan-seared chicken resting on a bed of glossy, cream-drenched pasta to make you feel like everything is right with the world. This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate cozy-night-in meal, featuring tender chicken morsels nestled into a mountain of pasta that’s been tossed in a velvety, garlic-forward sauce.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts cut into 1-inch bites
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta: Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Sear: Heat 2 tbsp butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken bites with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sear for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauce: Lower heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer: Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Cheese: Whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is velvety and smooth.
- Toss: Add the pasta and chicken bites back into the skillet. Toss thoroughly, adding a splash of pasta water if the sauce needs thinning. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.