Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta 🍝 Ingredients : 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces) 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp unsalted butter

 

Why This Dish Is Amazing

• Comfort Food with a Twist: The juicy, bite-sized chicken seared in garlic butter brings a rich, savory flavor, while the creamy Parmesan pasta underneath offers indulgent, silky texture.

• Relatively Quick to Make: Most versions can be ready in about 30 minutes, making it practical for weeknight dinner. Recipes by Clare+2Cooked by Momy+2

• Crowd Pleaser: Kids, adults, garlic lovers, and pasta fans will all enjoy this — it’s familiar yet elevated.

• Flexible & Customizable: You can change pasta shape, add vegetables, adjust spices, or even lighten the sauce.

• One-Skillet Option: Many recipes call for cooking the chicken and sauce in the same pan, simplifying cleanup. Gourmet Martha+1

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Key Principles Before You Start

1. Chicken Size Matters: Cutting chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking. Recipes by Clare+1

2. Garlic Butter Base: Using real butter + minced garlic (plus optional herbs) gives a rich, aromatic sauce that clings to the chicken. Recipes by Clare+1

3. Creamy Sauce Technique: The pasta sauce combines heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, and a splash of broth to achieve a silky texture. flavorithm.com+1

4. Pasta Water Trick: Reserve some pasta water when you drain the pasta — you can use it to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick. (Many creamy pasta recipes do this; implied by combining pasta + sauce.)

5. Garnish for Brightness: Fresh parsley not only looks good but cuts through the richness of the butter and cream. Recipes by Clare+1

6. Optional Heat or Depth: You can add red pepper flakes for a kick or paprika for smokiness. flavorithm.com

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Ingredients (Master List + Options)

Here’s a consolidated list, based on different trusted recipes. Use what works for you.

For the Chicken Bites:

• 1 lb (about 450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces Grammy Recipes+1

• 2 tbsp olive oil for searing Grammy Recipes

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Cooked by Momy+1

• 4 cloves garlic, minced Recipes by Clare

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or paprika + herbs) emiliarecipes.com

• Salt & black pepper, to taste Grammy Recipes

• (Optional) Paprika (some versions include it) avayum.com

• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Cooked by Momy

For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

• ~12 oz (340 g) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice) Recipes by Clare

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for the sauce Recipes by Clare

• 2 cloves garlic, minced for the sauce Recipes by Clare

• 1 cup heavy cream Recipes by Clare

• ½ cup (or sometimes up to 1 cup) chicken broth, depending on recipe Grammy Recipes+1

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly (or finely) grated flavorithm.com

• Salt & pepper, to taste for the sauce Grammy Recipes

• (Optional) Red pepper flakes for heat flavorithm.com

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Equipment You’ll Need

• Large pot (for pasta)

• Large skillet or frying pan (for chicken and sauce)

• Measuring cups & spoons

• Wooden spoon or spatula

• Knife & cutting board

• Grater (for Parmesan)

• Colander (to drain pasta)

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Recipes by Clare+1

3. Before draining, reserve about ¼–½ cup of the pasta cooking water (this will help if the sauce needs thinning).

4. Drain the pasta and set aside.

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2. Prepare the Chicken Bites

1. While pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning (or paprika + other herbs). avayum.com+1

2. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, then add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Grammy Recipes

3. Cook the chicken for ~5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. emiliarecipes.com

4. Once the chicken is nearly done, reduce the heat to medium, add the butter and minced garlic, and stir so the chicken is coated in the garlic butter. Sauté just for a minute or two until the garlic is fragrant but not burned. Cooked by Momy+1

5. Keep the chicken warm in the skillet on low heat while you make the sauce, or you can remove it temporarily and re-add later.

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3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

1. In the same skillet (or a clean saucepan), melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. flavorithm.com

2. Add the 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for ~1 minute, until fragrant. Recipes by Clare

3. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then bring to a gentle simmer. Grammy Recipes

4. Reduce the heat slightly, then whisk in the Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy. flavorithm.com

5. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a little of the reserved pasta water (add gradually).

6. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, (and red pepper flakes, if using for a little heat). emiliarecipes.com

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4. Bring It All Together

1. Add the cooked pasta into the creamy Parmesan sauce, tossing gently to coat all pasta with sauce. Use a wooden spoon or tongs.

2. Re-add the garlic-butter chicken bites to the pan, gently folding into the pasta + sauce mixture so everything is well combined.

3. If there’s extra garlic butter in the chicken pan, feel free to drizzle a little more over the finished pasta dish for extra flavor. Recipes by Clare

4. Remove from heat.

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5. Garnish & Serve

1. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for color and freshness. Cooked by Momy

2. (Optional) Add a little extra Parmesan cheese or a few red pepper flakes on top if desired.

3. Serve the dish hot, ideally in warmed bowls or plates.

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Tips, Variations & Customizations

Here are a variety of ways to tweak and elevate this recipe, depending on your taste or dietary needs:

Flavor Variations

• Smoky or Spicy: Add paprika or smoked paprika to the chicken; or stir in red pepper flakes into the sauce. flavorithm.com

• Herb-Infused: Replace or add Italian seasoning with fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano.

• Veggie Boost: Add vegetables such as spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or broccoli — toss them in the sauce just before adding pasta. Ella Dishes suggests adding vegetables to make it even heartier. Ella Dishes

• Lighter Version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or reduce cream and increase broth.

• Protein Changes: Instead of breast, use chicken thighs for juicier bites. (Some cooks do this.) avayum.com

• Cheese Twist: Add a mix of Parmesan + Pecorino Romano, or use a shredded Italian cheese blend.

• One-Pan Option: Cook pasta in the same pan used for chicken by adding broth and cream after searing — this saves dishes but requires more careful heat management.

Presentation & Serving Ideas

• Serve with garlic bread or crusty bread to mop up the creamy sauce.

• Pair with a side salad (arugula + lemon vinaigrette) to cut through richness.

• Top with extra fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

• Use a pasta bowl for a cozy, restaurant-style presentation.

• For a make-ahead option: you can cook chicken and sauce ahead of time, store separately, and reheat & toss with fresh pasta when ready.

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Troubleshooting & Common Issues

Here are some potential problems and how to fix them:

Problem	Cause	Solution
Sauce too thin / watery	Not enough cheese or too much liquid	Whisk in more grated Parmesan, simmer gently to reduce, or add a splash of pasta water to adjust consistency
Sauce too thick / clumpy	Sauce boiled too hard or cheese was added too quickly	Gradually add the cheese over low heat while whisking, use reserved pasta water to loosen
Garlic burned / bitter	Garlic cooked too long or on too high heat	Cook garlic on medium-low just until fragrant, not brown
Chicken undercooked	Pieces too large or pan not hot enough	Cut chicken into smaller bites, or increase the searing time; make sure to sear in a hot pan
Pasta dry or sticking	Pasta not enough sauce or sauce cooled	When reheating, add a little cream, butter, or reserved pasta water to rehydrate

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Nutrition & Practical Considerations

• Time: ~10 min prep + ~20 min cooking (total ~30 min) according to Clare’s version. Recipes by Clare

• Servings: Most recipes are for 4 servings. Recipes by Clare

• Calories & Richness: Because of cream, butter, and Parmesan, it’s a fairly rich dish — good for an indulgent weeknight or when you want comfort food.

• Make-Ahead:

  • Cook the chicken and sauce ahead, store in the fridge, and reheat with freshly cooked pasta.

  • Alternatively, freeze the sauce (without pasta) and thaw for future use.

• Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to ~2–3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of cream or broth to re-loosen the sauce.

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Why This Recipe Works So Well (from a Culinary Perspective)

1. Flavor Harmony: The garlic butter-infused chicken adds savory depth, complementing the creamy, cheesy pasta — two textures and flavors that balance each other beautifully.

2. Comfort + Elegance: It’s indulgent (cream + cheese) but also accessible — no fancy technique required.

3. Efficiency: Using one skillet for the chicken and butter sauce keeps things simple; pasta comes together quickly.

4. Adaptability: This recipe scales, allows substitutions, and can be adapted to what you have — whether you're short on time, dealing with picky eaters, or want to make it fancy.

5. Make-It-Your-Own: The base is flexible: you can keep it classic, add heat, veggies, or make it lighter, depending on your mood or dietary needs.

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Final Thoughts

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is the kind of dish that hits comfort, flavor, and ease all at once. It’s hearty enough for a satisfying dinner but doesn’t feel like a weeknight burden. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can make something restaurant-quality right at home.