Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Golden, juicy chicken bites tossed in garlic butter, paired with rich and velvety Parmesan pasta. This one-pan wonder is indulgent and perfect for a cozy dinner!I

ngredients:

For the chicken:

1 lb chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

For the pasta:

12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta, cooked and drained
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish

Directions:

1Cook the chicken:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Sear the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked (about 6-8 minutes). Remove from skillet and set aside.

2 Make the garlic butter:

Lower the heat to medium and melt 2 tbsp butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (1 minute). Toss the cooked chicken bites back into the garlic butter. Keep warm.

3 Prepare the Parmesan sauce:

In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper. Cook until the sauce is smooth and thickened.

4 Combine:

Toss the cooked pasta in the Parmesan sauce until well coated.

5 Serve:

Plate the creamy pasta and top with garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Pro Tip: Add sautéed spinach or roasted cherry tomatoes for a burst of color and flavor!