If you’re craving pure comfort in a bowl, look no further than this Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Imagine perfectly seasoned, golden chicken nestled over ribbons of silky fettuccine, bathed in an ultra-luscious Parmesan cream sauce scented with garlic and finished with a shower of fresh parsley. This dish checks every box in the easy-yet-impressive dinner department and is guaranteed to make you a hero at the dinner table—whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special occasion.

Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role, from the juicy chicken to the tender pasta and that irresistible creamy sauce. Nothing is complicated here, but every component adds serious flavor, body, or color that makes this dish truly stunning.

Chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces, these cook up quickly and stay wonderfully tender in the sauce.
Olive oil: Gives chicken a gorgeous sear and adds a hint of richness alongside the butter.
Unsalted butter: Used in two stages to flavor both the chicken and the luxurious sauce.
Garlic: Four fresh cloves give that signature aroma and warmth that makes this recipe sing.
Italian seasoning: Brings herby, savory notes that work beautifully with the Parmesan and chicken.
Salt and pepper: Don’t be shy—seasoning is key to deepen every layer of flavor.
Fettuccine (or pasta of choice): Wide noodles soak up the sauce, but any pasta you love will work.
All-purpose flour: Just a little forms the foundation of a silky-smooth roux for the sauce.
Heavy cream: Brings the creamy factor—and don’t worry, you can substitute half-and-half if you’d like it lighter.
Grated Parmesan cheese: The soul of the sauce, adding nutty, salty cheesiness.
Chicken broth: Rounds out the sauce with savory depth—the unsung hero of this dish.
Chopped fresh parsley: A sprinkle on top wakes up the final plate with fresh color and flavor.

How to Make Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by patting your chicken dry and tossing it with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heating olive oil and half the butter in a large skillet, add your chicken pieces in a single layer and let them get a golden-brown sear. Don’t rush this part—turn the pieces so all sides brown deeply; this is where so much of that irresistible garlic butter flavor begins. Once they’re cooked through (about 5–7 minutes), transfer the chicken bites to a plate and keep them warm.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Base

In the same pan (don’t clean it; those tasty browned bits are pure flavor!), lower the heat and add the rest of your butter along with the minced garlic. Give it a good stir and let the garlic sizzle for about a minute until it’s beautifully fragrant—there’s nothing better than that smell wafting through your kitchen!

Step 3: Create the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

Sprinkle in your flour and let it cook for a minute, stirring constantly—this creates a blond roux, thickening your sauce without lumps. Then slowly whisk in the chicken broth followed by the heavy cream, letting the sauce bubble gently until slightly thickened. Add your Parmesan cheese and keep stirring until it’s all melted into creamy decadence. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta and Combine

Meanwhile, cook your fettuccine (or favorite pasta) in well-salted boiling water until just al dente. Before draining, reserve half a cup of that starchy pasta water—it’s liquid gold for loosening up your sauce later. Add the cooked pasta and reserved chicken (with any juices) to the skillet and toss everything together. Drizzle in a bit of pasta water at a time until the sauce is your ideal consistency—super creamy but still rich enough to coat every noodle and bite of chicken.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Take the skillet off the heat, sprinkle generously with fresh parsley, and bring the whole glorious pan straight to the table. Every forkful of Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites is packed with flavor and creamy goodness—trust me, you won’t want to miss a single drop of that sauce!

How to Serve Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Garnishes

A generous shower of chopped fresh parsley is the classic finish for Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites, brightening up the richness with its herby, grassy notes. You can also go bold with an extra dusting of Parmesan or a few cracks of black pepper for added aroma and a beautiful look.

Side Dishes

This pasta is dreamy all on its own, but a crisp green salad or garlicky roasted vegetables are perfect for balance. Warm, crusty bread or homemade garlic toast are always a hit—perfect for soaking up every last bit of that creamy sauce. If you want to keep things light, serve alongside simple steamed broccoli or a classic Caesar salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For a family-style feel, bring the whole skillet to the table and let everyone serve themselves. Hosting guests? Twirl nests of pasta onto individual plates, top with chicken bites, and drizzle with sauce. You can even fill ramekins or small cast iron pans for a cozy, bubbly, golden-baked finish (just pop under the broiler for a minute or two to caramelize the top).

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites store beautifully in the fridge! Just transfer everything to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen even more overnight, making this a wonderful next-day lunch.

Freezing

Creamy sauces can be tricky to freeze, but this recipe stands up surprisingly well if you cool it completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to a month. Just note that the sauce may separate a bit after thawing, but a good stir (and maybe a splash of cream) will bring it back to life.

Reheating

To reheat, transfer your pasta to a skillet or saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce and stir gently until warmed through. If using a microwave, do so in short bursts, stirring halfway through, to avoid overcooking the chicken or curdling the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will give you even more juicy, flavorful bites. Just cut them into pieces and cook as directed—thighs often stay a touch more tender, so it’s a delicious swap.

How can I make this dish lighter?

For a lighter take on Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, and you can use less butter if you wish. The sauce will still be creamy, just a bit less rich.

What’s the best pasta shape for this recipe?

Fettuccine is classic, but honestly, any pasta shape that grabs onto the sauce will be fantastic. Try linguine, penne, rotini, or even spaghetti—whatever you have on hand is just fine.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

With a few tweaks, yes! Use your favorite gluten-free pasta and swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or even cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

Can I add vegetables to the dish?

Definitely! Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes pair beautifully here. Toss them in with the chicken or add to the sauce for extra flavor and color.

Final Thoughts

I just know you’ll fall head over heels for Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites—the kind of dish that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for any gathering. Give it a whirl, add your own personal twist, and enjoy every creamy, cheesy, garlicky forkful!

Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in this decadent Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites for a satisfying and flavorful meal that’s perfect for any day of the week. Tender chicken bites are coated in a rich garlic butter sauce and paired with creamy Parmesan pasta for a dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

12 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup chicken broth
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté chicken in olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic in remaining butter. Stir in flour to create a roux. Whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer until thickened. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until creamy.
Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve pasta water.
Combine: Toss cooked pasta and chicken in the sauce. Adjust consistency with pasta water. Garnish with parsley and serve.