Description
Creamy parmesan pasta with garlic butter chicken bites brings restaurant-quality comfort to home kitchens. Rich Italian-inspired flavors blend seamlessly, delivering a satisfying meal that leaves diners craving more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) chicken breasts or thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 300 g (10 oz) pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne)
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth (or reserved pasta water)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, reserving a small amount of starchy cooking liquid before draining completely.
- Chicken Transformation: Season chicken pieces with a bold spice blend. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and crisp, ensuring thorough cooking. Reduce heat, add butter and garlic to create a rich glaze, then transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in cream and broth, allowing the mixture to simmer. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Incorporate Italian herbs and a pinch of red pepper flakes for added complexity.
- Pasta and Sauce Fusion: Combine cooked pasta with the creamy sauce, gently tossing to coat evenly. If needed, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve an ideal sauce consistency.
- Plating and Garnish: Plate the creamy pasta, topping with garlic-butter chicken bites. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the dish is piping hot and visually appealing.
Notes
- Nail Pasta Texture: Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and prevent dryness, ensuring silky, perfectly coated noodles that aren’t too thick or runny.
- Chicken Searing Secrets: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in juicy flavors and prevents steaming instead of browning.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add Parmesan gradually and remove from heat to prevent curdling, creating a smooth, creamy sauce without graininess or separation.
- Flavor Customization: Swap chicken for shrimp or tofu, adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes, and experiment with herb combinations to personalize the dish for different dietary preferences and taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 748
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg