Description
A delicious and comforting recipe featuring tender garlic butter chicken bites served with creamy Parmesan fettuccine pasta. This easy stovetop dish combines sautéed chicken seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic with a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce coating al dente pasta. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet simple.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or pasta of your choice
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine or your choice of pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning evenly to flavor the meat.
- Sauté Chicken: In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to release the garlic’s flavors.
- Add Cream: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently for about 3 minutes to slightly thicken the cream.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is melted, creamy, and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, adjusting to taste.
- Combine and Toss: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the chicken and pasta are evenly coated with the creamy Parmesan sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred; just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoothest sauce texture.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh garnish but can be omitted if unavailable.
- To make it lighter, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.
