The Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Are you on the hunt for the quintessential weeknight meal? We all know the criteria: it must be fast, call for basic ingredients, and satisfy everyone at the dinner table, from picky children to hungry adults. It often seems like an impossible task. We’ve all had that moment, gazing into the refrigerator after a long day, wondering how to transform its contents into something remarkable. But what if we told you a dish worthy of a restaurant, packed with comforting and savoury flavours, could be on your table in under 30 minutes?

Allow us to present your new go-to meal: our spectacular Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta. This recipe is the perfect solution to your dinnertime dilemmas. Picture succulent, bite-sized pieces of chicken, pan-fried to a perfect golden-brown, all enveloped in a rich garlic butter sauce. Now, imagine that delectable chicken and sauce tossed with expertly cooked pasta, unified by a generous amount of sharp, nutty Parmesan and a dash of fresh parsley. It is a dish that is both comforting and sophisticated, and the best part is how effortlessly it all comes together. So, let’s head to the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in Under 30 Minutes: This recipe is a true hero for any busy weeknight. From the first chop to the final garnish, you can have a full, satisfying meal ready in less time than it takes to order a takeaway.
• Incredible Flavour Payoff: The marriage of savoury chicken, rich butter, aromatic garlic, and sharp Parmesan is simply sublime. This classic flavour combination is celebrated for a good reason, resulting in a truly irresistible creamy garlic chicken pasta.
• Uses Simple, Everyday Ingredients: There’s no need to make a special grocery run. This dish relies on common pantry and fridge staples that you probably have on hand right now.
• A Guaranteed Family Favourite: While it has a touch of elegance that adults will appreciate, its creamy, cheesy qualities make it an absolute winner with the younger crowd. Expect clean plates all around!
• Versatile and Customisable: We adore this recipe just as it is, but it also serves as an excellent canvas for your own culinary creativity. Feel free to add some vegetables, a little wine, or a hint of spice to tailor it to your taste.

Ingredients

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 300g dried pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
• 60ml dry white wine
• 240ml chicken stock
• 180ml double cream
• 75g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Creating this meal is a very straightforward affair, which we have broken down into easy-to-follow steps. By preparing the chicken and the sauce in the same pan, we capture every last bit of flavour. Those wonderfully browned morsels left by the chicken become the delicious foundation for our amazing sauce.

1. Prepare Your Pasta and Chicken

1. First, get a large pot of salted water boiling vigorously. Add the pasta and cook it following the package instructions until it’s al dente. Right before you drain it, save about a mugful (250ml) of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and put it to one side.
2. As the pasta cooks, get the chicken ready. Pat the cubed chicken breast dry using a paper towel – this is a crucial step for achieving a beautiful golden-brown sear. In a bowl, toss the chicken with the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, ensuring it’s all evenly coated.

2. Cook the Easy Chicken Bites

1. In a large, deep pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over a medium-high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, carefully place the seasoned chicken bites into the pan in a single layer. It’s important not to overcrowd it, so cook in batches if you need to.
2. Sauté the chicken for 3–4 minutes on each side, until it’s golden-brown all over and cooked through. It should register 74°C (165°F) on a meat thermometer. When done, use a slotted spoon to transfer the easy chicken bites from the pan to a plate and set aside.

3. Create the Luscious Garlic Butter Parmesan Sauce

1. Turn the heat down to medium and add the butter to the very same pan. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring continuously until it becomes incredibly fragrant. Take care not to let it brown or burn.
2. If you’re using it, pour in the white wine to deglaze, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble away until it has reduced by roughly half.
3. Next, add the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Pour in the double cream and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is velvety and smooth. Allow it to simmer for another 2-3 minutes to thicken up.

4. Combine and Serve Your Masterpiece

1. Return the cooked chicken bites to the pan, rejoining them with the sauce. Tip in the drained pasta and toss everything together until the chicken and pasta are completely coated in that glorious, creamy sauce.
2. If you find the sauce is a bit too thick for your liking, just add a splash of the reserved pasta water. This will help loosen it to your preferred consistency, and the starch in the water will help the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta.
3. Stir through the chopped fresh parsley, give it one last taste, and add a little more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Serve hot, with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan on top. Your fantastic chicken pasta dinner is ready to be enjoyed!

Top Tips for Success

To ensure your Parmesan garlic chicken turns out perfectly every time you make it, just bear these simple pointers in mind. These are the little details that can take a good meal and make it truly exceptional.

• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: We really can’t overstate this! Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking powders that stop it from melting properly. Grating your own cheese from a block guarantees a much creamier sauce with a superior flavour.
• Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: That starchy, cloudy water is pure liquid gold in the kitchen! The starches from the pasta help to emulsify the sauce, giving it a silky-smooth texture that perfectly coats every piece of pasta.
• Mince Your Own Garlic: While pre-minced garlic from a jar is convenient, it can sometimes have a sharp, less refined taste. Freshly minced garlic provides a sweeter, more aromatic flavour that is vital for this dish. Interestingly, fresh garlic contains a compound called allicin, which is associated with numerous health benefits. As noted by Healthline, these can range from supporting the immune system to enhancing cardiovascular wellness.
• Let the Pan Get Hot: To get that perfectly seared chicken with a lovely golden crust, you need to make sure your pan and oil are sufficiently hot before the chicken goes in. This technique locks in the juices and develops an incredible depth of flavour.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

One of the finest qualities of this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta recipe is just how adaptable it is. Please feel free to use it as a starting point and let your creativity shine!

Delicious Add-ins:

• Vegetables: Add a few handfuls of fresh spinach to the sauce at the very end to wilt, or toss in some sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or steamed broccoli for added nutrition and texture.
• Add a Little Heat: For those who enjoy a bit of spice, a pinch of red chilli flakes added at the same time as the garlic will provide a pleasant kick.
• A Touch of Brightness: A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice stirred in at the end can beautifully cut through the richness of the sauce, elevating the entire dish. This is a well-loved pairing, as demonstrated in many Lemon Garlic Chicken recipes.

What to Serve on the Side:

Although this dish is a complete meal in itself, a few simple accompaniments can round it out wonderfully:

• A fresh green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette.
• A side of steamed asparagus or tender green beans.
• Some crusty garlic bread, perfect for soaking up any remaining sauce.

For anyone who loves this combination of flavours, we also suggest trying our classic Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe, which presents a slightly different but equally delicious spin on these ingredients.

FAQ

Your New Go-To Weeknight Wonder

And there you have it – a simple, stylish, and absolutely delightful recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta, which we are sure will become a firm favourite in your meal planning. It’s a wonderful example of how you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen or use a long list of fussy ingredients to create a dinner that feels truly special.

The blend of tender chicken, a velvety garlic Parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta delivers pure comfort in a bowl. It’s the type of meal that gathers everyone around the table and leaves them feeling happy, warm, and utterly content. We are certain that after you try it once, you’ll be returning to this recipe again and again.

So, what are you waiting for? Give this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta recipe a go this week! We would be thrilled to hear how you get on. Feel free to leave a comment below to tell us about your experience or share any creative touches you added. Remember to save and share this recipe with your friends and family who are always searching for their next great dinner idea!

Recipe Card

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 300g dried pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
• 60ml dry white wine
• 240ml chicken stock
• 180ml double cream
• 75g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta & Prep Chicken: Cook pasta per package directions until al dente, reserving 250ml of pasta water before draining. Meanwhile, pat chicken dry and toss with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Sear Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Start the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium, add butter to the same skillet, and melt. Sauté the minced garlic for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with white wine, letting it reduce by half.
4. Finish the Sauce: Pour in the chicken stock, double cream, and grated Parmesan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and has thickened.
5. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the drained pasta. Toss to coat everything in the sauce, adding splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to reach the desired consistency. Stir in the fresh parsley, season to taste, and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 842, Carbs: 58 g, Protein: 48 g, Fat: 46 g