Welcome back to the kitchen, foodies! Today, we're diving headfirst into a recipe that promises to be a game-changer for your dinner routine: Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, marrying succulent, perfectly cooked chicken bites bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a luscious, velvety Parmesan pasta. It’s a meal that's both elegant enough for guests and simple enough for a busy Tuesday night.
Forget complicated techniques and endless ingredient lists. This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor with minimal effort, ensuring you get a truly satisfying meal that feels incredibly indulgent. Prepare to impress everyone at your table with this irresistible creation!
Why You'll Fall in Love with This Pasta Dish
There are countless reasons to adore this Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta. Here are just a few:
- Quick & Convenient: Ready in under 40 minutes, it's perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence but you still crave homemade goodness.
- Explosion of Flavor: The combination of fragrant garlic, rich butter, and nutty Parmesan cheese creates a depth of flavor that's truly addictive.
- Hearty & Satisfying: With tender chicken and creamy pasta, this dish is a complete meal that will leave you feeling perfectly content.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with your favorite additions, from fresh herbs to a variety of vegetables.
Gather Your Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the readily available ingredients. You likely have most of these on hand already!
For the Garlic Butter Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your preferred shape)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup fresh spinach (optional, for a touch of green)
Precise measurements and additional notes are available in the detailed recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Culinary Journey to Deliciousness
Follow these straightforward steps to create your own bowl of creamy, savory perfection.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
In a large pot, bring generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. This will be crucial for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken bites, seasoning them generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Build the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
Step 4: Finish the Sauce and Combine
Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to combine it with the garlic butter. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, slowly add small amounts of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired silky consistency.
Step 5: Add Chicken and Spinach
Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet. If using, add the fresh spinach and stir everything together until the chicken is rewarmed and the spinach has wilted into the creamy sauce.
Step 6: Toss and Serve
Add the drained, cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything gently to ensure every strand of pasta is coated in the luscious sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately!
Tips for Perfection and Delicious Variations
- A Hint of Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens all the flavors.
- Add Some Heat: For a little kick, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Veggie Boost: Stir in steamed broccoli florets or sautéed mushrooms with the spinach for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Try Shrimp: Swap the chicken for shrimp, or add both, for a delicious seafood twist. If you love garlic and Parmesan, you might also enjoy our Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, a truly rich and decadent dish.
Storing and Reheating Your Delish Leftovers
Leftovers of this Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta are just as delicious!
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Gently reheat on the stovetop over low-medium heat, adding a splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and restore its creaminess. You can also microwave it, stirring halfway through.
Explore More Garlic & Parmesan Goodness
If the irresistible flavors of garlic and Parmesan have captured your heart, there's so much more to explore! Be sure to check out our recipe for Crispy Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges for another side dish that truly shines.
Final Bite
This Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken is truly a culinary hug in a bowl. It's the kind of dish that brings smiles to faces and warmth to the soul. Whether it's a quick family dinner or a cozy meal for one, its rich flavors and comforting textures make it an instant favorite. Give it a try tonight, and let us know your favorite ways to customize it!
FAQs
Can I make this creamy Parmesan pasta without chicken?
Absolutely! For a delicious vegetarian option, simply omit the chicken. You can add sautu00e9ed mushrooms, asparagus, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Medium-sized pasta shapes like fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni are excellent as they hold the creamy sauce well. However, feel free to use your favorite pasta like spaghetti or linguine.
How do I prevent the Parmesan sauce from clumping or separating?
The key is to use low heat when adding the cream and Parmesan. Stir continuously until the cheese melts smoothly, and gradually add the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency. Avoid boiling the sauce once the cheese is added.
Can I meal prep this dish?
Yes, this pasta makes great leftovers! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to help restore the creaminess of the sauce.
Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Comfort Food
Description
This indulgent dish features tender garlic butter chicken bites tossed with a rich, creamy Parmesan pasta, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: In a large pot, bring generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken bites, seasoning them generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and half of the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
Step 4: Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to combine it with the garlic butter. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, slowly add small amounts of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired silky consistency.
Step 5: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet. If using, add the fresh spinach and stir everything together until the chicken is rewarmed and the spinach has wilted into the creamy sauce.
Step 6: Add the drained, cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything gently to ensure every strand of pasta is coated in the luscious sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 7: Divide the pasta into bowls, topping each serving with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade garlic butter chicken bites with savory creamy Parmesan pasta!
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and add sautéed mushrooms or asparagus. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
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