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Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

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A comforting, weeknight-friendly dish featuring golden, garlicky chicken bites paired with a rich Parmesan cream sauce and your favorite pasta.

Ingredients

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  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (for sauce)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt (for sauce)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (for sauce)
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. Season the chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss them in a bowl with Italian seasoning, paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated.
  3. Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the fat is shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
  4. Add garlic and finish chicken: Reduce heat to medium, add 6 cloves minced garlic to the skillet, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes if using, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley. Remove this garlic mixture from the skillet with the chicken.
  5. Start the sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in 2 tablespoons flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute.
  6. Build the cream sauce: Slowly add 1½ cups whole milk to the skillet while whisking to avoid lumps, then add ½ cup heavy cream. Simmer gently while stirring until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  7. Finish the sauce: Stir in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg.
  8. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat each piece. If needed, add more reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
  9. Add chicken: Return the seared chicken and the garlic-parsley mixture to the skillet, fold in gently, and heat through for a minute or two. Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve better browning. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Creamy Pasta, Parmesan Pasta

Find it online: https://recipehappy.com/garlic-butter-chicken-bites-creamy-parmesan-pasta-3/