Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Spaghetti

Introduction

The kitchen smelled like browned butter and garlic, and the little pan sizzled like a warm welcome the minute I slid the chicken in. Right away I knew this batch of Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Spaghetti would disappear fast. This always takes me back to Sunday dinners. For a similar cozy chicken feeling, I sometimes pull ideas from a garlic-parmesan chicken and potatoes skillet I turn to when I need a quick, homey main.

Why You’ll Love This

• Fast: Ready in about 30 minutes, so dinner stays relaxed.
• Comforting: Buttery, garlicky sauce clings to every strand.
• Flexible: Mild or spicy; tweak the Cajun for heat.
• Family-friendly: Kids usually ask for seconds.
• Pantry-friendly: Mostly staple ingredients.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Servings: 4
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes
• Skill level: Easy
• Taste: savory + buttery

Warm confidence: Follow the steps and you’ll have a silky sauce and golden chicken every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1.25 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning (optional for heat)
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• Fresh parsley (optional)
• Extra Parmesan (optional)

Chef notes:

• Fresh garlic = bigger flavor
• Unsalted butter helps control salt
• Reserve pasta water before draining
• Grate fresh Parmesan when possible
• Cut chicken evenly for even cooking

How to Make It

1. First, boil the spaghetti in plenty of salted water until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Meanwhile, scoop out and save 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
2. Next, pat chicken dry and toss with garlic powder, paprika, Cajun (if using), salt, and pepper so each piece is evenly coated.
3. Then heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add chicken in a single layer and let it sear; you want golden edges and a crisp sound when you flip, about 4–6 minutes total.
4. Meanwhile, add 2 tbsp butter and the minced garlic to the skillet. Stir quickly; the aroma should bloom and the garlic should turn fragrant without burning, about 30 seconds. Coat the chicken, then remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
5. Now wipe the skillet quickly if it’s too dark, then melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-low heat. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, whisking so the cream warms evenly.
6. Next, whisk in the Parmesan until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy. Add Italian seasoning and taste; adjust salt and pepper. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until it loosens and clings to the spaghetti.
7. Then toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce until each strand is coated. Add the chicken back on top or fold it in, letting everything mingle for a minute so the flavors marry.
8. Finally, plate the pasta, sprinkle with parsley and extra Parmesan, and serve while warm with a confident smile.

For a creamier one-pot feel, I sometimes lean on a technique from a one-pot creamy garlic pasta I love.

Kitchen Tips (From My Kitchen)

1. Time-saver: Cut the chicken ahead and keep it refrigerated for quick weeknight assembly.
2. Common mistake + fix: If the sauce splits, whisk in a tablespoon of cold cream or a splash of pasta water off heat to bring it back.
3. Simple variation: Swap Italian seasoning for fresh basil or add red pepper flakes for kick.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight dinner: Serve with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
• Casual brunch: Spoon leftovers over scrambled eggs for a rich plate. Try alongside scrambled eggs with garlic powder for a garlic-forward brunch.
• Cozy night in: Add roasted veggies and a glass of white wine.
• Crowd pleaser: Double the recipe and keep sauce warm in a slow cooker.
• Garnish ideas: Fresh parsley, lemon zest, or extra Parmesan.

I like pairing this with a sweet side like creamy honey butter corn on cold nights.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze sauce and chicken separately for up to 2 months (pasta texture suffers if frozen).
• Reheat: Gently warm in a skillet with a few tablespoons of water or cream to revive the sauce.
  Leftover idea: Toss chilled slices into a warm sandwich or salad for lunch.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Spaghetti

A comforting, buttery dish featuring savory garlic chicken tossed with creamy spaghetti, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 700

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 1.25 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces Cut chicken evenly for even cooking.
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter Unsalted butter helps control salt.
• 1 tsp garlic powder Fresh garlic = bigger flavor.
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning Optional for heat.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

For the Spaghetti

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half and a tablespoon of butter.
• 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved Reserve before draining.
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Grate fresh for better flavor.
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning Can swap for fresh basil.

For Garnish

• Fresh parsley, optional For garnish.
• Extra Parmesan, optional For garnish.

Method

 

Cooking the Spaghetti

1. Boil the spaghetti in plenty of salted water until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
2. Scoop out and save 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Preparing the Chicken

1. Pat chicken dry and toss with garlic powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning (if using), salt, and pepper so each piece is evenly coated.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
3. Add chicken in a single layer and let it sear for about 4–6 minutes until golden edges form.
4. Add 2 tbsp butter and the minced garlic to the skillet and stir quickly, allowing the garlic to become fragrant without burning.
5. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Making the Sauce

1. Wipe the skillet quickly if it’s too dark, then melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-low heat.
2. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer while whisking to warm evenly.
3. Whisk in the Parmesan until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy; add Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
4. If the sauce feels too thick, slowly add reserved pasta water until it loosens.

Combining

1. Toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce until each strand is coated.
2. Add the chicken back on top or fold it in, letting everything mingle for a minute.
3. Plate the pasta, sprinkle with parsley and extra Parmesan, and serve while warm.

Notes

For best results, cut chicken evenly for even cooking. To save time, cut the chicken ahead and refrigerate. If the sauce splits, whisk in a tablespoon of cold cream or a splash of pasta water off heat to bring it back.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes. Cook chicken and sauce, then cool and refrigerate separately; reheat gently and toss with freshly boiled spaghetti.

Q: What can I substitute for heavy cream?
A: Try half-and-half plus a tablespoon of butter, but expect a slightly thinner sauce.

Q: How do I know the chicken is done?
A: Cut a piece open; it should be white inside with no pink and reach 165°F. Look for golden edges and a firm spring when pressed.

Q: Can I freeze Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Spaghetti?
A: You can freeze the chicken and sauce, but I don’t recommend freezing cooked spaghetti. Thaw and reheat the components separately for best texture.

Conclusion

If you want a quick reference or another take on the same flavors, check out this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta for inspiration, and for a simpler five-ingredient bite try this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites (Just 5 Ingredients) – The Kitchn. Final thought: make it your own, keep the garlic coming, and savor every forkful of Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Spaghetti.