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Savory garlic butter chicken bites served with creamy parmesan linguine

Savory Golden Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Linguine

A quick and rich meal featuring golden garlic butter chicken bites served with creamy Parmesan linguine, perfect for both weeknight dinners and weekends.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 620
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces Use evenly sized pieces for even cooking.
  • 2 tbsp butter For cooking 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
For the Pasta
  • 12 oz linguine pasta
For the Creamy Sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter For making 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 to thin sauce.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. 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.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Season the chicken bites with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a skillet on medium-high.
  3. Add the chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning until the pieces are golden and cooked through.
  4. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove the chicken to a plate.
Making the Creamy Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter and add 3 cloves minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds.
  2. Pour in 1 1/4 cups heavy cream and stir.
  3. Whisk in 1/4 cup softened cream cheese until smooth.
  4. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  5. Thin the sauce with reserved pasta water if too thick.
Combining and Serving
  1. Put the linguine into the sauce and toss to coat.
  2. Top the pasta with the garlic butter chicken bites or gently fold them in.
  3. Plate the creamy linguine and add the golden chicken on top. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and cracked black pepper.

Notes

Serve hot on warm plates with a green side salad or steamed broccoli. Offer extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper at the table. A slice of garlic bread pairs well.