Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ For the Pasta

08 - 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt, and cook the pasta as per the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.
02 - In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium heat, then add the chicken. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Add butter and minced garlic, stir well, and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and mix. Once it starts simmering lightly, add the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
04 - Add the freshly cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Parmesan sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. Stir in the chopped parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
05 - Serve the creamy pasta on plates and top each portion with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with extra parsley if desired, and enjoy immediately.

# Notes:

01 - For an extra kick, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
02 - You can swap chicken for shrimp or tofu to customize this recipe.
03 - Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the flavor and texture.