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Whip up these golden Chicken Chunks in Garlic Butter alongside Cheesy Parmesan Pasta tonight. The diced chicken gets that gorgeous golden color while swimming in garlic butter, then rests on a bed of pasta drenched in rich cheese sauce. It's a quick fix but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
Benefits of This Meal
Basic ingredients transform into something truly remarkable. The buttery garlic chicken paired with cheesy pasta comes together in no time, ideal when you're stretched thin but still want a tasty dinner. Switch the pasta type or add a squeeze of lemon to customize it. Works wonders for dinner guests or just chilling at home.
Ingredients List
- Chicken: Diced into small chunks
- Olive Oil: To sauté chicken
- Butter: Used in chicken prep and sauce creation
- Garlic: Freshly chopped preferred
- Salt and Pepper: Season as needed
- Italian Herbs: For enhanced taste
- Parsley: Freshly chopped
- Pasta: Whatever variety you prefer
- Heavy Cream: Creates sauce thickness
- Parmesan: Freshly shredded
- Chicken Broth: Enhances sauce flavor
- Extra Garlic Butter: Optional finishing touch
Cooking Instructions
- Begin with Pasta:
- Get water bubbling, toss in salt and pasta. Cook until tender but still firm.
- Prepare Chicken:
- Warm oil in spacious skillet. Toss in chicken bits and brown them nicely. Add salt, pepper, and herb mix.
- Create Initial Sauce:
- Drop butter and garlic into chicken pan. Allow butter to dissolve and wrap around chicken.
- Whip Up Creamy Sauce:
- In separate pan, melt butter with garlic. Add cream and broth. Mix in cheese until sauce thickens.
- Combine Everything:
- Toss pasta in creamy mixture. Place chicken on top. Sprinkle with parsley and drizzle extra garlic butter if desired.
Juicy Poultry Tips
Cut chicken pieces equally for even cooking time. Let them get crispy and brown outside while staying moist inside. Those Italian seasonings really make it taste like you got takeout from that fancy Italian place.
Flavorful Butter Mixture
Don't rush melting butter with garlic so you'll get all that flavor goodness. This mix really makes the chicken pop. Keep some aside for drizzling at the end - it'll take everything up a notch.
Velvety Noodles
The pasta gets wrapped in a luscious blend of cream, butter, broth and cheese. All these ingredients melt together creating something incredibly smooth that clings to every pasta strand perfectly.
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Stunning Presentation
Start with pasta as the base layer, then add chicken pieces over it. Scatter fresh parsley all around. Add a drizzle of extra garlic butter if you want. Looks super impressive but wasn't complicated at all.
Storage Tips
Store any extras in an airtight container in your fridge for up to two days. When heating it up, go low and slow and maybe throw in a little cream to freshen up the sauce. It'll taste almost as good as when you first made it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What other pasta works?
Honestly, pretty much all types. Short shapes grab the sauce better, while long ones make it look fancier. Cook it to be a little firm and remember to drain it well.
- → Need a gluten-free version?
Go for gluten-free pasta from the store. Also, check ingredients for your sauce. Rice-based pasta is a great option – just know it cooks a little differently but will still turn out creamy!
- → How can I make it lighter?
Swap heavy cream for a lighter one, cut back on butter, and use less cheese. Add some extra herbs for flavor. You can also thin the sauce with broth.
- → Don’t have parmesan?
Use a strong-flavored cheese instead. Mixing different types works great. Freshly grated is always best for melty texture – skip the processed stuff from tins.
- → What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Keep it in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge. Reheat gently, adding a splash of milk to make it creamy again. Stir while warming it to mix well.
- → How do I fix dry pasta?
Reserve some pasta cooking water before draining. Add it gradually to the dish to get the sauce just right. Cooking the pasta less too helps since it soaks up less sauce.
- → Taking this dish to a gathering?
Bring the pasta and sauce separately. Keep the pasta warm and pack extra cream. Heat it all once you’re there, then mix before serving for the best texture.
- → How do I make it super fast?
Cut the chicken into tiny pieces to cook quicker. Get the pasta and sauce ingredients ready beforehand. A single pan for cooking cuts down on cleanup.
- → Trying to make extra servings?
Doubling the recipe works perfectly. Just ensure you’ve got large enough pans so everything cooks evenly. You may need some extra sauce too.
- → Trying to amp up the flavor?
Use extra garlic or mix in fresh herbs. A pinch of red pepper flakes can bring some heat. Remember to season every part of the dish as you go. Splashing in some wine can also enrich the sauce.
- → What do I do if the sauce’s too thin?
Let the sauce simmer on the stove a little longer to thicken up. Use less reserved pasta water or throw in more grated cheese to make it richer.
- → Chicken not turning out well?
Make sure the chicken pieces are all the same size to cook evenly. Preheat the pan properly so it sears nicely. Avoid overcooking, and use butter to help it brown beautifully.
Conclusion
If you enjoyed this, check out chicken in creamy tomato sauce pasta. Or try a zesty lemon butter chicken recipe. Even cheesy baked pasta would hit the spot!