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Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta – Comfort Food Recipes Done Right

Some nights, you want a dinner that feels like a warm hug without dirtying every pan in the kitchen. This dish? It delivers. Garlic butter chicken bites that sear up golden in minutes, paired with creamy parmesan pasta that comes together faster than you can say "where's the wine?" I’ve made this more times than I care to admit—mainly because it turns a quiet Tuesday into something a little more special. The garlic sings, the chicken stays juicy, and the pasta soaks up every last bit of the cheesy, creamy sauce. It’s got that homemade feel without making you work for it. Whether you're feeding the crew or just yourself (with leftovers you’ll actually look forward to), this one’s staying on repeat. It hits all the right notes if you’re craving comfort food recipes that still let you kick your feet up afterward.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken garlic parmesan recipe, comfort food recipes, creamy pasta recipes, Food Recipes With Chicken, garlic pasta recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 lb pasta of your choice (penne or fettuccine work great)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  4. Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the cream, stir in parmesan and Italian seasoning, and let it simmer until slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
  6. Add cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the creamy sauce.
  7. Serve hot, topped with chopped parsley and extra parmesan if you’re feeling generous.

Notes

You can swap the cream for half-and-half if you're cutting richness a bit. Add red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, or stir in spinach at the end for something green. Reheats like a champ the next day too.