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Irresistible Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites & Creamy Rotini

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Indulge in the perfect balance of comfort and flavor with these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites paired with creamy rotini. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 8 oz rotini pasta
  • 4–6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese or mascarpone
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Rotini: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. Prepare and Cook the Chicken Bites: Pat the chicken bites dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken bites in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Build the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. If there's a lot of residual oil, wipe some out, leaving just a little for flavor. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Create the Sauce Base: Pour in 1.5 cups of chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer. Stir in 1.5 cups of heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of cream cheese (or mascarpone). Whisk until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Finish the Sauce: Stir in 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until incorporated and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
  6. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked rotini and reserved chicken bites back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  7. Garnish: Serve immediately, garnished with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Keywords: Don't skimp on fresh garlic for the best flavor. Reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency. Consider marinating chicken for extra flavor, and add greens like spinach for a veggie boost.

Find it online: https://crumella.com/irresistible-garlic-parmesan-chicken-bites-creamy-rotini/