Description
Creamy parmesan pasta with garlic butter chicken bites blends Italian comfort with savory elegance. Succulent chicken medallions dance atop silky noodles, promising a restaurant-quality meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cooking Fats and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Liquid:
- 300 g (10 oz) pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne)
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth (or reserved pasta water)
Garnishes:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until it reaches a perfect al dente texture. Carefully extract and preserve a modest portion of starchy cooking liquid before draining the pasta completely.
- Transform chicken pieces into flavor-packed morsels by generously coating with a robust blend of spices. Ignite a skillet over medium-high flames, introducing a shimmering layer of olive oil. Sear chicken until each side develops a golden, crispy exterior, ensuring thorough cooking. Reduce heat and introduce butter and garlic, creating a luxurious coating that envelops the chicken. Carefully transfer the glistening bites to a waiting plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to craft a velvety sauce foundation. Melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing aromatic molecules to dance and intensify. Pour in cream and broth, letting the liquid simmer and harmonize. Gradually incorporate Parmesan, stirring until a silky smooth consistency emerges. Enhance with Italian herbs and a whisper of red pepper flakes for depth.
- Reunite the cooked pasta with the sumptuous sauce, gently tumbling to ensure each strand is lavishly dressed. Should the sauce appear too dense, delicately introduce reserved pasta water to achieve the perfect consistency.
- Artfully arrange the creamy pasta on serving plates, crowning each portion with the golden garlic-infused chicken bites. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan for a final flourish of flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately while the dish radiates warmth and temptation.
Notes
- Choose high-quality Parmesan cheese for a richer, more authentic flavor that elevates the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear and crispy exterior.
- Keep pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency, helping create a silky smooth texture that clings perfectly to noodles.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal spice tolerance, allowing customization for different heat preferences without compromising the dish’s overall deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 705
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg