I recently whipped up a batch of garlic butter chicken bites paired with creamy parmesan pasta. With diced chicken, freshly minced garlic, and a blend of butter, olive oil, and heavy cream, this dish is my go-to for a Healthy Dinner For The Family. It quickly became a favorite at my table.

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I recently tried out this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Creamy Pasta recipe and it totally amazed me. I was a little nervous about making a meal that had so many steps but once i started cooking, it felt pretty fun and easy.

I used 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces and seasoned it with salt and black pepper. After sautéing it in 2 tbsp olive oil and 4 tbsp butter, I added in 4 cloves of minced garlic for that punch of flavor.

I then tossed in 8 oz of my favorite penne pasta, along with a creamy mix of 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup chicken broth. The whole thing turned out to be an awesome meal idea that is perfect for healthy family dinners or a simple meal prep option.

Trust me when i say, you dont want to miss out on this yummy chicken dinner recipe.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe becuz it brings together amazing flavors that make every bite a treat. The garlic butter sauce mixed with creamy parmesan is super rich and really comforts me after a long day. I also love that its pretty easy to make even though it tastes like something fancy, which always makes me feel proud of what I cooked. Plus, it’s versatile enough so I can switch up the ingredients a bit and still get that awesome flavor every time. Lastly, having tender chicken with perfectly cooked pasta just makes it feel like a warm hug in a bowl, and there’s nothing like that on a chilly evening.

Ingredients

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Chicken: A lean protein that makes the dish filling and provides essential nutrients.
Garlic: Bursting with flavor and natural health benefits its taste is super punchy.
Butter: Adds richness and creaminess, though its high fat content means moderation is key.
Pasta: A carbohydrate source that makes the meal comforting and gives it a hearty texture.
Heavy Cream: Creates a thick, luscious sauce with a smooth, indulgent finish.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into bite sized pieces

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

4 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

8 oz pasta (like penne or your favorite kind)

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley (optional for garnish)

How to Make this

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1. Season the diced chicken with salt and black pepper.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook until all sides turn golden, then take it out of the skillet.

3. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and lower the heat to medium. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté it for about a minute until it’s fragrant, but be careful not to burn it.

4. Pour in the chicken broth along with the heavy cream. Stir it all together and let it warm up.

5. Mix in the optional red pepper flakes, then slowly stir in the freshly grated parmesan until the sauce is smooth.

6. While the sauce is bubbling away, boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta (like penne or your favorite kind) until it’s al dente.

7. Drain the pasta and add it directly into the creamy sauce, mixing it in well.

8. Return the cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir so that all the bites get coated in the delicious sauce.

9. Let everything simmer together for a couple of minutes to merge the flavors.

10. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if you have it, serve up hot, and enjoy this hearty meal.

Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet
2. Large pot
3. Measuring spoons and cups
4. Knife and cutting board
5. Garlic press or small knife for mincing garlic
6. Colander for draining pasta
7. Wooden spoon or spatula
8. Box grater for the parmesan cheese

FAQ

Can i swap the pasta for another type?

Yup, you can totally use any pasta you like such as spaghetti or rigatoni. Just keep in mind that different shapes might soak up the sauce a bit different.

How do i know when the chicken is cooked all the way?

The chicken should be white all the way through with no pink bits left. I usually cook mine until it reaches an internal temp of 165°F.

Is it possible to replace the heavy cream with something else?

Sure thing! You could use half and half or even whole milk but the sauce wont be as rich and creamy as it is with heavy cream.

Can i add any extra spices or herbs to the dish?

Definitely, feel free to add more red pepper flakes if you like a bit of a kick or toss in some extra herbs like basil or oregano for more flavor.

How should i store the leftovers?

Store any extra in an airtight container in the fridge for upto 3 days. When reheating, do it on the stove or in the microwave and stir well so the sauce heats evenly.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Creamy Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you can’t find chicken breast, you can try using diced chicken thighs instead for a juicier bite.
If butter is short, sometimes margarine or even a dairy-free butter substitute works pretty well.
If you don’t have heavy cream, you might use half and half or coconut cream, though it’ll change the flavor slightly.
You can swap parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano if you wanna experiment with a sharper taste.
In place of chicken broth, vegetable broth is a nice go-to for adding that savory touch.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure to season the chicken well and let it sit for a few minutes before cooking so it really picks up the flavor.
2. When you’re sautéing the garlic, keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn and turn bitter. I learned the hard way that burnt garlic can ruin the whole dish.
3. After cooking the chicken, don’t forget to scrape the pan afterwards. Those browned bits add a ton of flavor when you mix them into your sauce.
4. Be careful not to overcook the pasta. Remember that once you combine it with the sauce, it’ll still cook a bit more so aim for that perfect al dente texture.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Creamy Pasta Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

800

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large skillet
2. Large pot
3. Measuring spoons and cups
4. Knife and cutting board
5. Garlic press or small knife for mincing garlic
6. Colander for draining pasta
7. Wooden spoon or spatula
8. Box grater for the parmesan cheese

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into bite sized pieces
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz pasta (like penne or your favorite kind)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley (optional for garnish)

Directions

Season the diced chicken with salt and black pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook until all sides turn golden, then take it out of the skillet.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and lower the heat to medium. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté it for about a minute until it's fragrant, but be careful not to burn it.
Pour in the chicken broth along with the heavy cream. Stir it all together and let it warm up.
Mix in the optional red pepper flakes, then slowly stir in the freshly grated parmesan until the sauce is smooth.
While the sauce is bubbling away, boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta (like penne or your favorite kind) until it's al dente.
Drain the pasta and add it directly into the creamy sauce, mixing it in well.
Return the cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir so that all the bites get coated in the delicious sauce.
Let everything simmer together for a couple of minutes to merge the flavors.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if you have it, serve up hot, and enjoy this hearty meal.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.