Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

 Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Crispy-edged, tender chicken bites meet a luscious Parmesan cream sauce that cooks the pasta right in the skillet—maximum flavor, minimal dishes. A fast, comforting favorite from tinsuf that tastes restaurant-level on a weeknight.

Cream cheese frosting
Finish with a shower of fresh Parmesan and parsley just before serving.

    Author: tinsuf
    Category: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep: 10 mins
    Cook: 25 mins
    Total: ~35 mins
    Yield: 4 servings
    Keywords: garlic butter chicken, creamy parmesan pasta, one-skillet

Table of Contents

    Ingredients
        Chicken Bites
        Creamy Parmesan Pasta
    Instructions
    Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips
    Storage & Make-Ahead
    Why This Recipe Works
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Ingredients
Chicken Bites

    1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut bite-size
    Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
    1 tsp garlic powder
    1/2 tsp paprika
    2 Tbsp olive oil
    2 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
    4 cloves garlic, minced

Creamy Parmesan Pasta

    2 cups chicken broth
    1 cup heavy cream
    8 oz penne (or spaghetti/linguine)
    1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
    1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra to serve
    Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions


    Season chicken —
    Toss chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
    Sear chicken —
    Heat olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes, turning until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
    Sauté garlic —
    Reduce heat to medium-low. Add remaining butter and garlic; cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
    Simmer pasta —
    Stir in broth and cream; bring to a gentle simmer. Add pasta and Italian seasoning. Cover and cook 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente and the sauce is slightly loose.
    Finish & combine —
    Return chicken and any juices. Off heat, gradually stir in Parmesan until silky. Season to taste.
    Serve —
    Top with parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.

    Cream cheese frosting

Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips

    Sauce too thick? Stir in warm broth or cream, 1–2 Tbsp at a time.
    Sauce grainy? Remove from heat before adding Parmesan and add gradually; avoid pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents.
    Chicken not browning: Don’t overcrowd the pan; let pieces sear undisturbed for the first 2–3 minutes.
    Lighter option: Swap half the cream for milk and add 2–3 Tbsp cream cheese for body.

Storage & Make-Ahead

    Refrigerate: 3–4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk.
    Make-ahead: Sear chicken up to 24 hours ahead; refrigerate and finish the pasta just before serving.

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking the pasta directly in broth and cream releases starches that naturally thicken the sauce. Butter-basted chicken bites build fond for deeper flavor, while fresh Parmesan melts smoothly off heat for a glossy, restaurant-style finish.
Recipe provided by tinsuf. For more cozy one-skillet dinners, browse our full weeknight collection.