Description
Garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta blend Italian comfort with irresistible flavors, creating a mouthwatering meal that seduces taste buds. Crispy chicken morsels nestled in rich, velvety sauce promise pure culinary satisfaction for dinner lovers seeking delicious simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) chicken breast, cubed
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter
Pasta and Seasoning:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or rotini preferred)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Craft a perfectly seasoned pasta dish by preparing tender chicken bites and a luxurious cream sauce that blends rich flavors and textures.
- Fill a large pot with water, generously salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Carefully add pasta and cook until tender with a slight resistance when bitten, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Drain pasta thoroughly, preserving a half cup of starchy cooking liquid for later sauce modification. Set pasta aside in a warm location.
- Melt butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the melting butter for approximately 30 seconds.
- Add chicken cubes to the fragrant butter, spreading them evenly across the skillet. Cook until each piece develops a golden-brown exterior and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, which ensures complete cooking.
- Remove chicken from the skillet, transferring to a separate plate while maintaining its warmth.
- Without cleaning the skillet, introduce remaining butter and allow it to melt smoothly. Pour in heavy cream, whisking continuously to create a silky base.
- Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring consistently until the sauce transforms into a thick, creamy consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the cream sauce, ensuring each strand becomes luxuriously coated. If the sauce appears too dense, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Reintroduce golden chicken bites into the pasta, carefully folding to distribute evenly throughout the dish.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the dish remains piping hot, offering a delightful blend of creamy, garlicky goodness.
Notes
- Enhance chicken texture by patting it dry before cooking to achieve a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by cooking it just until al dente, ensuring it maintains a slight bite and can absorb the creamy sauce without falling apart.
- Customize the dish for dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter version, and using gluten-free pasta for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Create a deeper flavor profile by adding a splash of white wine or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce, elevating the overall taste complexity of the chicken and pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg