Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Fettuccine Recipe – Cozy, Garlicky Comfort in 30 Minutes

There’s a warm, buttery smell that fills the kitchen when I make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Fettuccine — it always takes me back to those slow Sunday evenings with family. The garlic browns, the butter shimmers, and then suddenly the whole house feels like a hug. If you’re looking for a meal that’s quick, comforting, and a little indulgent, this recipe is the one I reach for when I want everyone gathered around the table.

For more cozy pasta ideas, I sometimes look back at a favorite riff on grilled chicken bites for inspiration, because it’s amazing how a simple garlic sauce can change everything: grilled chicken bites with creamy garlic sauce.

Why You’ll Love It

• Quick and easy to make, especially on busy weeknights.
• Comforting, rich sauce that hugs every strand of pasta.
• Simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
• Great for date nights, family dinners, or when you want to impress with little effort.
• Always a crowd-pleaser with its buttery garlic flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced — Fresh garlic gives it that extra flavor boost.
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 2 tbsp butter — Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese — Freshly grated melts silkier than pre-shredded.
• 2 oz cream cheese (optional, for extra silkiness)
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)
• Extra Parmesan (for garnish)
• A drizzle of garlic butter from the pan (for garnish)

These simple items come together to make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Fettuccine taste like you spent hours on it.

For a spin with a little spice, check out this creamy Cajun linguine that plays with similar textures: creamy Cajun chicken linguine with garlic mozzarella sauce.

How to Make It

1. Cook the Fettuccine

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the fettuccine.
   • Cook until al dente, which usually takes 9–11 minutes. Meanwhile, breathe in that toasty pasta scent — it’s the start of comfort.
   • Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set the pasta aside.

2. Make the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

   • Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss so each piece wears the spices.
   • Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken.
   • Sear the pieces for about 3–4 minutes per side until they’re golden and cooked through. You’ll hear a soft sizzle; that’s when it’s just right.
   • Reduce the heat, add 3 tbsp butter and 4 minced garlic cloves, then toss the chicken until it’s glossy and fragrant. The garlic will smell nutty and sweet.
   • Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.

3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

   • In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter and sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
   • Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, and stir to combine. Because we’re building flavor in the same pan, the sauce picks up all those crispy bits.
   • If you want extra silk, add the 2 oz cream cheese and whisk until smooth. Then stir in the Parmesan until the sauce becomes thick and glossy.
   • Taste and season with salt and black pepper.

4. Combine Pasta & Chicken

   • Add the cooked fettuccine to the sauce and toss to coat every strand. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it loosens.
   • Either pile the garlic butter chicken bites on top, or gently fold them into the pasta so each forkful has both creamy sauce and tender chicken. When the butter from the chicken joins the sauce, the flavor gets even more heavenly.

5. Serve & Garnish

   • Plate hot, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and grate extra Parmesan over the top. Finally, drizzle a little of that leftover garlic butter from the pan for shine and aroma. Serve immediately and watch everyone dive in.

When the garlic butter chicken bites meet the pasta, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Fettuccine truly comes alive.

For a twist that swaps textures but keeps the comfort, I sometimes borrow a technique from this garlic-butter steak and cheesy tortellini combo: cajun garlic butter steak with cheesy alfredo tortellini.

Kitchen Tips

• Time-saver: While the pasta cooks, prep the chicken and garlic so you can move quickly and keep everything hot.
• Common fix: If the sauce breaks or looks grainy, whisk in a little warm pasta water slowly until it smooths out.
• Personal twist: For a bright note, add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of red pepper flakes. Or try stirring in a handful of spinach at the end for color and freshness.

If you love buttery noodles as a base for different proteins, these simple buttered noodles give a similar cozy feeling: chicken with buttered noodles.

Serving Ideas

• Serve this for a family dinner, a cozy date night at home, or when you want something special without fuss.
• Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to cut through the richness. Also, crusty bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce.
• Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan for color and a salty finish.

For another comfort-forward main to serve alongside or after this, consider making a creamy butter chicken that blends sweet and savory notes: creamy butter chicken recipe for comfort and flavor.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens, so add a splash of milk or cream when reheating.
• Freezer: Freeze portions without garnish for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often so the sauce loosens without separating.
• Leftover idea: Toss cooled chicken and sauce into a baked casserole, or stuff into warm pita pockets for a quick sandwich.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Definitely! Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Fettuccine often tastes even better the next day, because the flavors meld.

Q: Can I swap any ingredients?
A: Of course! Swap half-and-half for heavy cream, or use penne instead of fettuccine. This recipe is forgiving.

Q: What’s the best way to serve it?
A: Serve it hot and fresh from the pan, with lots of grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley.

Q: How do I know the chicken is perfectly cooked?
A: Look for golden edges and an internal temp of 165°F, or cut a piece to check that it’s white and juicy inside. You’ll also smell that fragrant garlic-butter aroma — that’s your cue.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading — I hope this recipe brings the same warm, buttery comfort to your table that it does to mine. If you want a similar take on the idea, here’s a lovely version that inspired my sauce technique: a garlic butter chicken bites with creamy parmesan pasta variation. Also, if you’re curious about a simpler five-ingredient approach to garlic parmesan chicken, this clear, helpful post is a great reference: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites (Just 5 Ingredients).

I can’t wait for you to try this — and to hear how your family loved the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Fettuccine.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Fettuccine

A quick, comforting dish featuring tender garlic butter chicken bites served over creamy Parmesan fettuccine, perfect for family dinners or date nights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 600

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken Bites

• 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter Use unsalted butter for better salt control
• 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic gives it that extra flavor boost.
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• to taste Salt & black pepper

For the Creamy Parmesan Fettuccine

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 2 tbsp butter Use unsalted butter for better salt control.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 0.75 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated melts silkier than pre-shredded.
• 2 oz cream cheese (optional) For extra silkiness.
• 0.5 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)
• Extra Parmesan (for garnish)
• A drizzle of garlic butter from the pan (for garnish)

Method

 

Cook the Fettuccine

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the fettuccine.
2. Cook until al dente, usually 9–11 minutes, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set the pasta aside.

Make the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

1. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken.
3. Sear the pieces for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Reduce heat, add 3 tbsp butter and 4 minced garlic cloves, then toss the chicken until glossy and fragrant.
5. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter and sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, and stir to combine.
3. If desired, add 2 oz cream cheese and whisk until smooth, then stir in Parmesan until thick and glossy.
4. Taste and season with salt and black pepper.

Combine Pasta & Chicken

1. Add the cooked fettuccine to the sauce and toss to coat.
2. If the sauce is thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency.
3. Either pile the garlic butter chicken bites on top or fold them into the pasta.

Serve & Garnish

1. Plate hot, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and grate extra Parmesan on top.
2. Drizzle a little of the leftover garlic butter from the pan for shine and aroma.
3. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a bright note, add a squeeze of lemon or red pepper flakes. Stir in spinach at the end for color and freshness. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.