Tonight’s dinner was transformed by a dish bursting with garlic butter flavors and succulent chicken. I discovered an innovative twist on pasta that sparked my curiosity. As someone often searching for what to make for dinner with chicken, this quick and satisfying meal has become my new favorite go-to evening indulgence.

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I recently discovered a new favorite dinner recipe that I couldnt wait to share with you all. I was making Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Creamy Pasta and was blown away by how simple yet satisfying it turned out to be.

I started with 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned just right with salt, pepper, and a dash of garlic powder for that extra kick. I then sautéed the chicken in olive oil until it was perfectly golden.

The real magic happened when I added minced garlic and unsalted butter, letting the flavors mingle together. To finish, I simmered everything in chicken broth and tossed in fettuccine with heavy cream and loads of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

There is even a hint of red pepper flakes if youre into that slight spice. This dish is a great idea for an easy healthy yummy dinner that the whole family will love.

Give it a try tonight its definitely worth it.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it’s super easy to put together and doesn’t require a million ingredients. I love how the creamy garlic butter sauce mixes with the Parmesan and brings a rich flavor that makes the dish comforting and satisfying. Also, the garlic really fills the kitchen with an amazing aroma that makes me excited to sit down and eat. Lastly, I appreciate that it’s a great meal for family dinners or even when I want to treat myself and impress my friends with something tasty and homemade.

Ingredients

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Chicken: Offers lean protein to build muscles and makes the dish hearty and flavorful.
Olive Oil: A heart-healthy fat that boosts flavor and makes every bite richer.
Garlic: Gives a zesty kick and natural boost to your immune system, tasting amazing.
Heavy Cream: Adds a smooth, creamy texture that balances the savory flavor profiles just right.
Parmesan Cheese: Provides salty, nutty notes with extra protein to round out the dish.
Pasta: Supplies energy-providing carbs that absorb and carry the buttery sauce perfectly.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup chicken broth (or white wine)

8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

How to Make this

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1. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

2. Lower the heat to medium then add the minced garlic to the same pan. Stir it around for about 30 seconds until you can smell its aroma.

3. Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine) to deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits stuck on the bottom.

4. Stir in the unsalted butter until it melts, then slowly add the heavy cream, stirring constantly.

5. Let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes before adding the red pepper flakes (if you’re using them) and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.

6. At the same time, cook your pasta in a separate pot of salted boiling water until it is al dente. Drain the pasta once it’s done.

7. Return the chicken to the pan and let it simmer in the creamy garlic butter sauce for a few more minutes so all the flavors blend together.

8. Toss the cooked pasta into the pan with the chicken and sauce, making sure everything is evenly mixed.

9. Give it a taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

10. Serve the dish warm and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet – for browning chicken and simmering the garlic butter sauce
2. Medium to large cooking pot – for boiling the pasta in salted water
3. Colander – for draining the cooked pasta
4. Knife and cutting board – to chop the chicken and mince garlic
5. Measuring spoons and cups – to accurately portion olive oil, garlic powder, butter, chicken broth (or wine), heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes
6. Wooden spoon – for stirring the ingredients during cooking
7. Cheese grater – for freshly grating the Parmesan cheese

FAQ

Q: Can I substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breasts?

A: Yeah, you can totally use chicken thighs. Just make sure you adjust the cooking time cause they might take a bit longer to cook through.

Q: What should I do if I don't have heavy cream?

A: No worries! You can mix half and half with a bit of cream cheese or even use coconut cream if you're into that. The texture might change slightly.

Q: Is garlic powder necessary when I already use fresh garlic?

A: Not exactly, but a pinch of garlic powder amps up the flavor a bit. If you're not a huge garlic fan, feel free to skip it.

Q: How do I know when my pasta is cooked just right?

A: Cook it until it's al dente which should be about 10-12 minutes. Taste a piece to see if it still has a little bite.

Q: Do I really need the red pepper flakes?

A: Not at all. They add a nice spicy kick but if you're not into heat, just leave them out.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Creamy Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

You could swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs if you want a little more flavor and juicier bites.
If you dont have chicken broth, you can use white wine or even veggie broth as a backup.
If heavy cream is hard to find, try using half and half or a mix of milk with a splash of melted butter, though the sauce might be a bit lighter.
Instead of Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese works well in the recipe and gives a slightly different but nice flavor.

Pro Tips

1. When deglazing the pan, make sure you scrape off all those brown bits because they add a ton of flavor, but dont overdo it so the sauce dont get too bitter.
2. Keep your heat on medium-low when adding the cream and cheese to help them blend smoothly, otherwise you might end up with a sauce that separates.
3. Save a little pasta water before you drain it; that starchy water can help you adjust the sauce consistency if it seems too thick.
4. Try not to overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken. If they’re too close together, they steam instead of browning, which means you lose out on that yummy, crispy flavor.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Creamy Pasta Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Tonight's dinner was transformed by a dish bursting with garlic butter flavors and succulent chicken. I discovered an innovative twist on pasta that sparked my curiosity. As someone often searching for what to make for dinner with chicken, this quick and satisfying meal has become my new favorite go-to evening indulgence.

Servings

servings

Calories

835

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large skillet – for browning chicken and simmering the garlic butter sauce
2. Medium to large cooking pot – for boiling the pasta in salted water
3. Colander – for draining the cooked pasta
4. Knife and cutting board – to chop the chicken and mince garlic
5. Measuring spoons and cups – to accurately portion olive oil, garlic powder, butter, chicken broth (or wine), heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes
6. Wooden spoon – for stirring the ingredients during cooking
7. Cheese grater – for freshly grating the Parmesan cheese

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup chicken broth (or white wine)
8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Lower the heat to medium then add the minced garlic to the same pan. Stir it around for about 30 seconds until you can smell its aroma.
Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine) to deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits stuck on the bottom.
Stir in the unsalted butter until it melts, then slowly add the heavy cream, stirring constantly.
Let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes before adding the red pepper flakes (if you’re using them) and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
At the same time, cook your pasta in a separate pot of salted boiling water until it is al dente. Drain the pasta once it’s done.
Return the chicken to the pan and let it simmer in the creamy garlic butter sauce for a few more minutes so all the flavors blend together.
Toss the cooked pasta into the pan with the chicken and sauce, making sure everything is evenly mixed.
Give it a taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
Serve the dish warm and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your 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.