Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

 

Here’s a fantastic, restaurant-quality recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta — quick, rich, and full of flavor. This is a perfect weeknight dish but tastes like something you'd order out.

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🍗 Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

🍝 with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

⭐ Serves: 3–4

⭐ Ready in: 30–35 minutes

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🥘 Ingredients

Chicken Bites

• 1.25–1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs, cut into small 1-inch pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional but great)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Creamy Parmesan Pasta

• 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
• Optional: squeeze of lemon

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🔥 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions.
3. Drain and set aside (reserve ½ cup pasta water).

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2. Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

1. In a bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken (don’t overcrowd).
   Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter + minced garlic, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Optional: Add lemon juice to brighten the flavor.
6. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm.

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3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

1. In the same pan, melt 2 tbsp butter.
2. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
3. Stir in heavy cream + chicken broth and simmer 2–3 minutes.
4. Add Parmesan cheese, stir until melted and smooth.
5. Taste and add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
6. If sauce is too thick, loosen with a splash of reserved pasta water.

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4. Combine

1. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
2. Spoon the garlic butter chicken bites over the top.
3. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.

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✨ Tips for Perfection

• Cut chicken into evenly sized pieces for consistent browning.
• Don’t stir the chicken too soon — let it sear.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
• Add spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to the pasta for variation.

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