Description
Indulgent Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites brings Italian comfort right to your kitchen, blending rich flavors and tender textures. Crispy chicken morsels nestled over silky pasta create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
Carbohydrates:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until perfectly tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add minced garlic and chicken cubes, sautéing until chicken turns golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and pour heavy cream into the skillet. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes silky and uniform, stirring continuously to prevent scorching.
- Season the creamy sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting flavors to taste. Ensure the sauce maintains a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Transfer cooked pasta directly into the skillet, gently folding and coating each strand with the luxurious Parmesan cream sauce until evenly distributed.
- Plate the pasta and arrange garlic butter chicken bites on top. Sprinkle with freshly chopped basil leaves for a vibrant, aromatic finish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Customize pasta texture by cooking slightly less than package instructions for a firmer bite.
- Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for richer, more authentic flavor profile.
- Transform dish into gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra chicken or swapping with grilled shrimp for seafood lovers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 810 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg