Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spaghetti recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken cubes with perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. Enhanced with Parmesan, fresh parsley, and a hint of lemon juice, this dish is a quick, comforting, and delicious main course perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Set the pasta aside.
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken cubes with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, ensuring not to burn the garlic.
- Toss the pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic butter. Toss to coat all the noodles evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Combine and finish: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet and toss everything together to combine and heat through. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can add spinach or cherry tomatoes for extra vegetables and color.
- Swap spaghetti with fettuccine or linguine based on your preference.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste for seasoning.
- Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor.
