Description
A creamy, cheesy noodle dish paired with crispy, garlicky chicken bites, perfect for a comforting meal. This quick and easy recipe is packed with flavor and can be customized with different cheeses, pasta types, and seasonings. Ideal for weeknight dinners!
Ingredients
For the Noodles:
- 12 oz pasta (egg noodles, rotini, or your choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (optional)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving ¼ cup of pasta water.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. In a skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Return chicken to the pan and coat in garlic butter. Set aside.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a separate pan, melt butter, then stir in chicken broth and heavy cream. Slowly add cheddar and Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat. Use reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the creamy noodles and top with garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes