Get ready to experience your new comfort food favorite: Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta! This dish combines juicy, golden seared chicken bites with a luscious parmesan cream sauce that clings beautifully to ribbons of pasta. It’s rich, garlicky, and totally irresistible—absolutely perfect for hectic weeknights and special dinners alike. Every bite bursts with bold, savory flavors, a little buttery richness, and just enough freshness to keep you coming back for seconds. If you love cozy pasta dishes with real pan sauce magic, this one’s about to earn a top spot in your weekly lineup!

Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is how it uses such humble ingredients to create mouthwatering results. Each component really pulls its weight, bringing the right balance of flavor, creaminess, and texture.

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces cook up quickly and soak up all the garlicky butter goodness.
Garlic: Freshly minced cloves infuse the dish with that irresistible Italian-American flavor base.
Unsalted butter: Adds a velvety richness and helps develop a beautiful golden sear on the chicken while forming the creamy sauce.
Pasta: Fettuccine or linguine both work wonderfully, providing a satisfyingly chewy base that holds the sauce like a dream.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is essential here—this brings nutty, salty depth and that classic creamy texture.
Heavy cream: Just half a cup rounds out the sauce without making it too heavy; use full-fat for the smoothest result!
Salt and pepper: Don’t underestimate the power of simple seasoning to brighten every ingredient.
Fresh parsley (optional): A sprinkle of chopped parsley gives a pop of color and a gentle herby finish just before serving.

How to Make Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Aromatics

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. The smaller pieces will cook faster and get beautifully golden edges. Mince your garlic so it’s ready to go—having everything prepped up front will help this recipe come together smoothly and prevent any last-minute scrambling.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken Bites

Grab a large skillet and melt half the butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is sizzling, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes to get a good sear before stirring. Continue to cook, tossing occasionally, until the chicken bites are gorgeously golden and cooked through—about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 3: Add Garlic and Seasonings

Sprinkle the minced garlic over your browned chicken, along with a generous pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper. Let it sauté for about a minute, just until you can smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Be careful not to burn the garlic—stir frequently at this stage.

Step 4: Make the Parmesan Cream Sauce

Lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining butter to the pan, followed by the heavy cream. Give everything a good stir to combine, scraping up any golden bits from the bottom. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese next, watching the magic happen as the sauce becomes glossy and creamy. If it seems a bit thick, don’t worry—pasta water is coming next!

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

While your chicken and sauce do their thing, cook your pasta in salted boiling water according to the package directions for al dente. Before you drain, scoop out a cup of starchy pasta water—don’t skip this! It’s secret sauce insurance.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Add the drained pasta directly into your skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together over low heat, adding splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your ideal silky consistency. The pasta water helps the sauce cling and makes everything beautifully glossy. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed—then get ready to dig in to your Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta!

How to Serve Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Garnishes

Serve your pasta hot, topped with a flurry of extra parmesan and a scattering of freshly chopped parsley. For a finishing flourish, add a crack of fresh black pepper and maybe a tiny drizzle of good olive oil—these little touches add a pop of flavor and turn your bowl into a total showstopper.

Side Dishes

Since Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is super rich and satisfying, lighter sides are the way to go. A crisp arugula or mixed greens salad with lemon vinaigrette balances the creaminess, while garlicky roasted broccoli or blistered cherry tomatoes are perfect for adding a veggie boost and sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For date night, twirl the pasta elegantly into individual bowls, nestling the golden chicken bites on top for maximum visual appeal. Hosting friends? Serve it family-style in a big, colorful platter, letting everyone help themselves. You can even try ladling the parmesan cream sauce over roasted spaghetti squash for a lighter, gluten-free twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. It will keep beautifully for 2 to 3 days. The pasta and sauce may thicken slightly in the fridge, but a splash of milk or water during reheating brings it right back to perfection.

Freezing

You can freeze this dish, though keep in mind that creamy sauces sometimes change texture slightly after thawing. If you want to freeze, portion into airtight containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently. If you know ahead of time you’ll freeze it, consider undercooking the pasta just a bit to avoid mushiness after defrosting.

Reheating

For best results, reheat Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk, cream, or water to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently and avoid high heat, which can separate the creamy sauce. The microwave also works in a pinch—just use 50 percent power and stir halfway through.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs bring even more juicy flavor and remain tender, so feel free to substitute an equal amount of boneless, skinless thighs in your Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces as you would the breasts.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

If you’re out of heavy cream, you can substitute half-and-half for a lighter sauce, or even use whole milk with a tiny splash of extra butter. Your sauce won’t be as thick, but it will still be delicious and creamy.

Which pasta shapes work best?

Fettuccine and linguine are great because their broad ribbons catch the sauce and juicy chicken bites perfectly. Short shapes like penne or rigatoni will also work, especially if that’s what you have in the pantry.

Can I add veggies to this recipe?

Definitely! Sautéed spinach, wilted kale, or peas are delicious stirred right into the sauce. Broccoli florets or chopped sun-dried tomatoes add bright color and subtle sweetness. Adapt Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta to what you love or have on hand.

How do I make the sauce extra-creamy?

For an ultra-luxurious finish, stir in an extra splash of cream or an additional tablespoon of butter at the end. Make sure to use plenty of freshly grated parmesan for the silkiest, smoothest result—pre-grated cheese can sometimes make sauces grainy.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to try this Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta at home! It’s the kind of dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal fuss, and it never fails to leave everyone with happy, satisfied smiles. Whether you’re cooking for loved ones or treating yourself to a cozy dinner, I’m confident this recipe will become a new favorite in your kitchen.

Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 18 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Tender bites of garlic-infused chicken paired with creamy parmesan pasta make for a delectable meal that’s easy to prepare yet tastes gourmet. This recipe is a perfect combination of flavors and textures that will satisfy any craving for a comforting and indulgent dish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Bites:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

8 ounces fettuccine or linguine
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Bites: Mince the garlic and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
Add Flavor: Add the minced garlic, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Create the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the grated parmesan cheese to create a creamy sauce.
Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente; reserve some pasta water before draining.
Combine and Serve: Combine the drained pasta with the chicken and sauce in the skillet, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian