introduction
This is a simple meal of golden garlic butter chicken bites served with creamy Parmesan linguine. The chicken cooks fast and the sauce is rich and smooth. If you like creamy chicken pasta, you may also enjoy a similar recipe for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Linguine for more ideas.
why make this recipe
This dish is quick, tasty, and comforting. It comes together in about 30 minutes. The chicken is golden and garlicky. The pasta sauce is creamy and cheesy. It works for a weeknight dinner or a simple weekend meal. Kids and adults both like it.
how to make Savory Golden Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Linguine
Work in this order: cook pasta, cook chicken, make sauce, then toss together.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine until al dente. Save 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain, and set the pasta aside.
Step 2: Make the Golden Garlic Butter Chicken
Season the chicken bites with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a skillet on medium-high. Add the chicken and cook 5–6 minutes, turning until the pieces are golden and cooked through. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until you smell the garlic. Remove the chicken to a plate.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter and add 3 cloves minced garlic. Cook 30 seconds. Pour in 1 1/4 cups heavy cream and stir. Whisk in 1/4 cup softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with the reserved pasta water.
Step 4: Combine
Put the linguine in the sauce and toss so the pasta is coated. Top the pasta with the garlic butter chicken bites or gently fold them in.
Step 5: Serve
Plate the creamy linguine and add the golden chicken on top. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and cracked black pepper.
Ingredients :
- 1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp butter (for chicken)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (for chicken)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- 2 tbsp butter (for sauce)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Optional Garnish: Fresh parsley, Extra Parmesan, Cracked black pepper
Directions :
Step 1: Cook the Pasta – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Golden Garlic Butter Chicken – Season chicken bites with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5–6 minutes, turning until golden and cooked through. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce – In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in heavy cream and stir gently. Whisk in cream cheese until smooth, then add Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.
Step 4: Combine – Add linguine to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Top with garlic butter chicken bites or gently fold them into the pasta.
Step 5: Serve – Plate creamy linguine with golden chicken bites on top. Garnish with parsley, extra Parmesan, and cracked black pepper.
how to serve Savory Golden Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Linguine
Serve hot on warm plates. Add a green side salad or steamed broccoli. Offer extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper at the table. A slice of garlic bread fits well.
how to store Savory Golden Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Linguine
Cool the pasta and chicken to room temperature (no more than 2 hours). Put in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently on low heat in a pan with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce. You can also heat in a microwave in short bursts, stirring between each burst.
tips to make Savory Golden Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Linguine
- Cut chicken into even pieces so they cook the same time.
- Do not overcook the pasta; al dente holds the sauce better.
- Save the pasta water to thin the sauce naturally.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth melt.
- Cook garlic briefly to avoid burning and bitter taste.
- For extra brown color on chicken, do not crowd the pan.
variation (if any)
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for more texture.
- Swap linguine for fettuccine or penne.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but it will be thinner.
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or swap smoked paprika for chipotle powder.
- Try a different herb mix like basil and oregano.
FAQs
Q: Can I use thighs instead of breasts?
A: Yes. Thighs have more fat and stay juicy. Cut them into bite-size pieces and cook until done.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes. Use gluten-free linguine and check that your cream and cheeses have no additives with gluten.
Q: How do I stop the sauce from being grainy?
A: Use room-temperature cream cheese and whisk it into warm cream slowly. Fresh grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded.
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: You can freeze, but cream sauces may change texture. Freeze only if needed and reheat slowly with extra cream or milk.
Q: How long to reheat from fridge?
A: Reheat on low heat for 5–8 minutes on the stove with a splash of water or cream, stirring until warmed.
Conclusion
This recipe makes a quick, rich meal of golden garlic butter chicken bites and creamy Parmesan linguine. It is easy to cook and easy to love. For a simple garlic-parmesan chicken bite idea that inspired parts of this dish, see Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites (Just 5 Ingredients) | The Kitchn.
Savory Golden Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Linguine
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine until al dente. Save 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain, and set the pasta aside.
- Season the chicken bites with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a skillet on medium-high.
- Add the chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning until the pieces are golden and cooked through.
- Add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter and add 3 cloves minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in 1 1/4 cups heavy cream and stir.
- Whisk in 1/4 cup softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Thin the sauce with reserved pasta water if too thick.
- Put the linguine into the sauce and toss to coat.
- Top the pasta with the garlic butter chicken bites or gently fold them in.
- Plate the creamy linguine and add the golden chicken on top. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and cracked black pepper.