Description
Garlic butter chicken bites with creamy Parmesan pasta deliver a symphony of rich, savory flavors that dance across your palate. Quick weeknight dinners become extraordinary culinary experiences when home cooks combine tender chicken, silky sauce, and perfectly seasoned pasta you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Cooking Fats and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Pasta and Sauce:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta such as cavatappi or penne
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare chicken pieces by generously coating with garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even seasoning.
- Dust chicken thoroughly with cornstarch or all-purpose flour, creating a light, even protective coating that will help achieve a crispy exterior.
- Heat a combination of unsalted butter (or 28 grams) and extra virgin olive oil (or 15 milliliters) in a large skillet over medium-high temperature.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken pieces into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 4-5 minutes per side until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Introduce finely minced fresh garlic to the skillet, sautéing for an additional 60 seconds to release aromatic flavors without burning.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a warm plate, preserving its temperature and crispy texture.
- Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain pasta thoroughly, reserving a small amount of cooking water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Using the same skillet, melt an additional tablespoon of butter over medium heat, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Slowly pour heavy cream (or 120 milliliters) into the skillet, allowing it to gently simmer and develop a rich consistency.
- Gradually incorporate freshly grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
- Season the cream sauce with additional salt and black pepper to enhance its depth of flavor.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the creamy parmesan sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
- Arrange the golden garlic butter chicken bites atop the creamy pasta.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and optional extra parmesan cheese for a final touch of elegance and flavor.
Notes
- Coating chicken with cornstarch or flour creates a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and adds delightful texture.
- Use medium-high heat to achieve perfect browning without burning the chicken, ensuring a beautiful caramelized finish.
- Sautéing garlic for just one minute releases its aromatic flavors without becoming bitter or burnt.
- Let chicken rest while preparing the sauce to keep the meat tender and juicy.
- Create a luxurious parmesan sauce by gently simmering cream and stirring in freshly grated cheese for maximum smoothness.
- Garnish with fresh parsley to add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich, creamy pasta and buttery chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 685 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg