Introduction
If you’re on the hunt for a dish that’s indulgent, easy to prepare, and downright irresistible, look no further than Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta. This dish is everything a comforting meal should be: buttery, garlicky chicken bites perfectly seared to golden perfection and tossed with a creamy, cheesy pasta that clings to every bite.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or family meals, this one-pan wonder delivers gourmet taste with pantry-friendly ingredients. The balance of garlic, herbs, and cheese in a rich cream sauce turns ordinary pasta into a crave-worthy main course.
Want to learn how to make your cream-based sauces restaurant-worthy? Check out this creamy sauce guide from Bon Appétit for professional tips.
🛒 Ingredients
🍗 For the Chicken Bites:
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped for garnish)
🧄 For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
4 tbsp unsalted butter
½ tsp Italian seasoning
🍝 For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or linguine recommended)
1½ cups heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
👨🍳 Directions
🔪 Step 1: Cook the Pasta
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
🍗 Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Toss chicken pieces in a bowl with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken and sear for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked.
Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
🧄 Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 4 tbsp butter.
Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it brown).
Add ½ tsp Italian seasoning and stir well.
🧀 Step 4: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
Pour in the 1½ cups heavy cream and bring to a low simmer.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and whisk until fully melted and smooth.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
If the sauce is too thick, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.
🍽 Step 5: Combine and Serve
Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet.
Toss everything together until evenly coated in the sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan, if desired.
🍽️ Servings and Timing
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
🥗 Serving Suggestions
Pair with a crisp Caesar salad or steamed garlic broccoli.
Add a slice of warm, crusty bread to mop up every bit of sauce.
Serve with a glass of chardonnay or sparkling water with lemon.
🧑🍳 Variations
Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce.
Veggie-Loaded: Toss in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or cherry tomatoes.
Protein Switch: Use shrimp or sliced sausage instead of chicken.
Low-Carb Option: Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer:
Freezing is not recommended for cream sauces, as they can separate.
Reheating:
Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
Microwave in short bursts, stirring between rounds.
❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
You can use whole milk, but the sauce will be thinner. Add a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken if needed. - What pasta shape works best?
Short pasta like penne or rigatoni holds the sauce well, but fettuccine and linguine are also great. - Can I use pre-grated Parmesan?
For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-grated can cause clumps or a gritty texture. - Can I prep this in advance?
Yes! You can cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time. Reheat with the sauce before serving. - Is this dish spicy?
Not at all. But you can add spice with chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce. - Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely—just use your favorite gluten-free pasta. - Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Use a larger skillet or cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. - What herbs can I use instead of Italian seasoning?
Try a blend of basil, oregano, thyme, and parsley. - Will the sauce thicken as it sits?
Yes. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen it. - Can I use leftover chicken?
Totally! Just skip the searing step and warm the chicken in the garlic butter before combining.
📝 Conclusion
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe is a weeknight hero—easy to make, rich in flavor, and comforting in all the right ways. It combines the savoriness of seared chicken with a luxuriously creamy, cheesy pasta sauce that clings to every bite.
It’s one of those recipes you’ll make again and again, whether you’re feeding picky eaters, impressing guests, or just treating yourself to a little weeknight indulgence. The best part? It’s all done in one pan, making cleanup as easy as the cooking.
Want more pasta night inspiration? Explore creamy chicken pasta recipes from Delish for more craveable ideas.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta – The Ultimate One-Pan Comfort Meal
Ingredients
Method
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Toss chicken pieces in a bowl with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and sear for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 4 tbsp butter.
- Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it brown).
- Add ½ tsp Italian seasoning and stir well.
- Pour in the 1½ cups heavy cream and bring to a low simmer.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and whisk until fully melted and smooth.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- If the sauce is too thick, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.
- Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet.
- Toss everything together until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan, if desired.
Notes
Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce. Veggie-Loaded: Toss in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or cherry tomatoes. Protein Switch: Use shrimp or sliced sausage instead of chicken. Low-Carb Option: Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Freezer:
Freezing is not recommended for cream sauces, as they can separate. Reheating:
Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce. Microwave in short bursts, stirring between rounds. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
You can use whole milk, but the sauce will be thinner. Add a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken if needed. 2. What pasta shape works best?
Short pasta like penne or rigatoni holds the sauce well, but fettuccine and linguine are also great. 3. Can I use pre-grated Parmesan?
For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-grated can cause clumps or a gritty texture. 4. Can I prep this in advance?
Yes! You can cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time. Reheat with the sauce before serving. 5. Is this dish spicy?
Not at all. But you can add spice with chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce. 6. Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely—just use your favorite gluten-free pasta. 7. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Use a larger skillet or cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. 8. What herbs can I use instead of Italian seasoning?
Try a blend of basil, oregano, thyme, and parsley. 9. Will the sauce thicken as it sits?
Yes. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen it. 10. Can I use leftover chicken?
Totally! Just skip the searing step and warm the chicken in the garlic butter before combining. 📝 Conclusion
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe is a weeknight hero—easy to make, rich in flavor, and comforting in all the right ways. It combines the savoriness of seared chicken with a luxuriously creamy, cheesy pasta sauce that clings to every bite. It’s one of those recipes you’ll make again and again, whether you’re feeding picky eaters, impressing guests, or just treating yourself to a little weeknight indulgence. The best part? It’s all done in one pan, making cleanup as easy as the cooking. Want more pasta night inspiration? Explore creamy chicken pasta recipes from Delish for more craveable ideas.
