Description
Tender bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, served over creamy Parmesan pasta for a comforting Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces fettuccine or your preferred pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the chicken. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- To make the garlic butter sauce for the chicken, reduce the heat to medium in the same skillet. Add 4 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt.
- Stir in 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, tossing to coat it thoroughly in the garlic butter sauce. Remove the chicken from the skillet once coated and set aside.
- Now, prepare the creamy Parmesan sauce in a separate clean skillet (or wipe out the chicken skillet if you prefer). Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté briefly until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Add the cooked pasta to the creamy Parmesan sauce, tossing to coat every strand evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta and top each serving generously with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and, if desired, a drizzle of any remaining garlic butter from the chicken pan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Ensure the garlic does not burn to avoid a bitter taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best creamy texture.
- This recipe can be adapted with gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.