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To make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta, you need a few simple ingredients. Here’s the list to get started: - Chicken breast - Butter - Garlic - Italian seasoning - Pasta - Parmesan cheese - Fresh parsley - Lemon zest (optional) Each ingredient plays a big role in this dish. The chicken breast provides protein, while butter adds richness. Garlic gives a strong flavor that makes everything taste better. Italian seasoning brings warmth and depth. Pasta serves as a hearty base, and Parmesan cheese adds a salty finish. Fresh parsley brightens up the dish. If you want a zing, lemon zest is a great choice! With these ingredients ready, you can create a delicious meal that everyone will love. {{ingredient_image_2}} - First, boil a large pot of salted water. - Add 8 ounces of your chosen pasta. Cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. - When done, save about ½ cup of the pasta water. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside. - In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. - Once it melts and bubbles, add 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. - Be careful not to burn the garlic; you want it fragrant and golden. - Increase the heat to medium-high. Add 1 pound of bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet. - Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. - Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. - After cooking the chicken, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. - Pour in the reserved pasta water and the drained pasta. Toss everything together well. - This creates a rich, buttery sauce that coats the pasta and chicken nicely. - Sprinkle in ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the pasta is well coated. - If you like, add the zest of 1 lemon for a burst of freshness. - Remove the skillet from the heat. Mix in ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley. - Serve the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites in warm pasta bowls. - For a nice touch, add more Parmesan and parsley on top, and serve with a lemon wedge on the side. - Ensuring chicken is juicy: Use fresh chicken breast for the best flavor. Cut it into small, even pieces. This helps the chicken cook evenly. Season it well with salt and pepper. Cook it until golden brown, but do not overcook. Juicy chicken is key to this dish. - Pasta cooking hacks: Always salt your water before boiling. This adds flavor to your pasta. Cook the pasta until it’s al dente. This means it should still have a slight bite. Remember to reserve some pasta water before draining. This water helps create a creamy sauce. - Ideal pairings: This dish pairs well with a light salad or garlic bread. A fresh greens salad adds crunch and balance. Garlic bread complements the rich flavors of the garlic butter. - Enhancing flavors: For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can also brighten the dish. A dash of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick. - Overcooking garlic: Garlic cooks fast. Sauté it until it’s fragrant, about one minute. If it turns brown, it will taste bitter. Watch it closely to get the best flavor. - Skipping pasta water: Never skip reserving pasta water. This starchy water helps bind the sauce. Adding it helps create a silky texture. It’s a simple trick that makes a big difference. Pro Tips Use Fresh Garlic: For the best flavor, always use fresh garlic rather than pre-minced or jarred garlic. Freshly minced garlic will give your dish a vibrant taste. Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Cook the chicken just until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure it's juicy and tender. Reserve Pasta Water: Always reserve some pasta water before draining. This starchy water can help thicken your sauce and enhance the flavor. Add Fresh Herbs: In addition to parsley, consider adding fresh basil or thyme for an extra layer of flavor. Fresh herbs can elevate the dish significantly. {{image_4}} You can easily switch chicken for shrimp or tofu. Shrimp cooks fast and adds a nice touch. Just sauté it in the garlic butter until pink. For tofu, use firm tofu. Cube it, and sauté it until golden brown. Both options will soak up that great garlic flavor! Many pasta types work well in this dish. You could use spaghetti for a classic feel. Fettuccine gives a nice, thick bite. Penne adds a fun twist with its tube shape. Choose whatever you love most. Just remember to cook it al dente for the best texture. Want to make it more exciting? Add some veggies! Broccoli or spinach brings color and nutrients. Toss them in with the chicken for a healthy boost. You can also add spices like red pepper flakes for heat. A dash of lemon juice can brighten the dish too! To keep your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container. Place the chicken and pasta together. Refrigerate them within two hours of cooking. This helps to avoid any bacterial growth. Consume the leftovers within three days for the best flavor and quality. When reheating, I recommend using a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep the dish moist. Stir often to prevent sticking. You can also use a microwave, but cover the dish to trap steam. Heat in short bursts, stirring between, to keep the chicken tender and the pasta creamy. To freeze, place the cooled dish in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. This method helps retain the flavors and textures of the dish. Enjoy your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites at a later time with ease! Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just thaw it first. This way, it cooks evenly. Cut it into bite-sized pieces for best results. If it’s still a bit frozen, increase cooking time by a few minutes. If you lack Parmesan, use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano. Both add great flavor. You can also use nutritional yeast for a vegan option. It gives a cheesy taste without the dairy. To add spice, include red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. Add them when cooking the garlic for a nice kick. You can also use spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken for more heat. Yes, you can prep this dish ahead. Cook the chicken and pasta, then store them separately. Reheat before serving. This keeps the pasta from getting mushy. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth. This helps to keep it moist. Stir until warmed through. Avoid the microwave to keep the chicken juicy. This blog post covered a tasty chicken pasta recipe with garlic butter sauce. You learned about the key ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and helpful tips. We also explored variations to keep things fresh and exciting. In closing, this dish is simple and fun to make. With each step, you can create a meal that delights. Enjoy cooking, and don’t be afraid to try new flavors!

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta

A delicious dish featuring tender chicken bites in garlic butter, served over pasta with Parmesan and fresh parsley.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 8 ounces pasta (your choice, such as spaghetti or fettuccine)
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 zest of lemon (optional for a bright finish)

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and bubbly, add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring continuously, until the garlic becomes fragrant but be cautious not to let it burn.
  • Raise the heat to medium-high and add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet. Sprinkle the chicken with Italian seasoning, and season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and beautifully golden brown on the outside.
  • After the chicken is cooked, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Allow it to melt, then pour in the reserved pasta water and the drained pasta. Toss everything together to create a luscious buttery sauce that coats the pasta and chicken evenly.
  • Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring well to ensure the pasta is generously coated. For a fresh twist, add the lemon zest at this stage to brighten up the dish if desired.
  • Remove the skillet from heat. Gently mix in the chopped fresh parsley, ensuring everything is well incorporated.

Notes

Serve in warm pasta bowls with extra Parmesan and lemon wedges on the side.
Keyword chicken, garlic butter, parmesan, pasta