Description
Garlic butter chicken bites meld perfectly with spaghetti aglio e olio, creating a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of flavors. Crispy chicken, silky pasta, and juicy blistered tomatoes invite you to savor each delectable bite of this simple yet elegant Italian-style feast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 pounds (0.57 kilograms) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (22 milliliters) minced fresh garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) unsalted butter, divided
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by mixing with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika to ensure even coating.
- Heat non-stick skillet to medium-high and add olive oil and butter, creating a sizzling surface for golden-brown chicken.
- Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, cooking 3 minutes until crisp and golden, then flip and cook additional 2 minutes until nearly done.
- Enhance flavor by adding remaining butter, minced garlic, and parsley, stirring for 1 minute until chicken is fully cooked and garlic becomes aromatic.
- Simultaneously prepare pasta by boiling salted water and cooking spaghetti until al dente, incorporating chopped kale during final 2 minutes of cooking.
- Create garlic infusion by heating olive oil and sautéing garlic with red pepper flakes for 2-4 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Combine drained pasta and kale with garlic oil, using reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Simultaneously blister cherry tomatoes in a separate skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, releasing subtle juices without crushing.
- Plate spaghetti with kale, sprinkle Parmesan cheese, arrange blistered tomatoes, and serve alongside garlic butter chicken bites.
Notes
- Ensure chicken pieces are similar in size for even cooking, preventing some pieces from overcooking while others remain undercooked.
- Use high-quality butter and fresh garlic for maximum flavor depth and aromatic richness in the dish.
- Swap kale with spinach or Swiss chard for variety, maintaining the nutritional green component of the recipe.
- For gluten-free option, replace spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg