Description

A delicious and comforting dish featuring tender garlic butter chicken bites paired with creamy Parmesan pasta. This easy skillet recipe combines succulent chicken breast pieces seasoned with paprika and sautéed to golden perfection, served over fettuccine coated in a rich, cheesy cream sauce with subtle Italian herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet simple to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced

Pasta and Sauce

8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Set aside to let the seasoning absorb into the meat.
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Sauté the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the fettuccine or linguine in salted boiling water following the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for the sauce.
Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic butter and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, mixing until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Add the reserved pasta water gradually until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat all the noodles evenly with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
Recombine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet, stirring gently to combine them with the pasta and sauce. Heat through briefly if necessary.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top as garnish and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to reduce cooking time.
Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for added flavor and texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American