Ingredients :
For the Chicken Bites:
- 1.5 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 8 oz Pasta (Penne, Fettuccine, or Linguine work well)
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 4-6 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 Cups Chicken broth
- 1 Cup Heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter sauce)
- ¾ Cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
- Salt and Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than package directions).
- Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the rest. Set the cooked pasta aside.
2. Prepare and Cook the Chicken Bites
- In a medium bowl, toss the cut chicken pieces with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet (you will use this for the whole dish) over medium-high heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the seasoned chicken.
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet.
- Add the minced garlic (4-6 cloves) and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not burn the garlic.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this adds flavor!). Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for about 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low, then slowly stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine and Serve
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss well to coat.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta cooking water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Return the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites to the skillet and toss everything together to reheat the chicken.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with the fresh chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.