The pressure builds and you start counting down minutes until you eat. Y'all know that feeling when the valve hiss happens and now you’re just staring at your cooker like it holds all the answers. That quick release gets you buzzing, cause you’re just about there right now.

Garlic butter chicken bites steaming in pressure cooker — Delicious garlic butter chicken bites with creamy Parmesan pasta ready to serve.

You feel that tender pull coming as you open the pot, smelling the garlic butter mingling with the chicken pieces. It’s dang good, you remember why you love your cooker so much for nights like this when you just wanna eat something warm and comforting fast.

Right then you catch yourself thinking about diving into the creamy Parmesan pasta swimming around those bites of chicken. You recall how easy it was to toss it all together, no fuss, and now it’s just the best supper waiting right under your nose.

Why Your Cooker Beats Every Other Pot

Pressure cooking seals in juices, making your chicken tender and flavorful in way regular pans just can’t.
It’s a one-pot wonder so cleanup is way easier, y’all gonna love that.
The quick release saves you time when you’re hungry and gotta eat now.
You get even cooking without babysitting the pan all night long.
Natural release lets flavors deepen while your patience builds, making everything taste richer.
Slow release gives you a bit more control over chicken texture, so you get a perfect tender pull each time.

For similar ideas, check out our Cheesy Kielbasa Hashbrown Casserole Dump Meal Recipe and Mozzarella Stuffed Rosemary Parmesan Soft Pretzels - great comfort meals that are easy to love.

Your Simple Ingredient Checklist

Alright, let’s talk ingredients. For the chicken part you’re gonna need 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into those perfect bite-sized pieces. You want 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to get that golden, buttery goodness going.

Don’t forget your flavor punches: 3 cloves garlic minced, a teaspoon of paprika, and half a teaspoon garlic powder. Salt and black pepper gotta be there to season just right.

Now for the pasta, grab 300 grams of your favorite pasta. Penne and fettuccine work super well, but hey it’s your call. You’ll need 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 cloves garlic minced once again for that fragrant base.

Then comes the creamy part: 1 and a half cups of heavy cream and half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese. A sprinkle of Italian seasoning plus salt and pepper bring it all together. Fresh parsley chopped for stirring in and a little extra for garnish rounds out the list just nice.

Ingredients for garlic butter chicken bites with creamy Parmesan pasta — Fresh ingredients ready for cooking creamy Parmesan pasta with garlic butter chicken bites.

Now you’re all set to make magic in the kitchen!

How It All Comes Together Step by Step

Step one, you season those chicken pieces with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Easy enough, right? Next, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in that chicken and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until it’s golden and cooked through.

Don’t forget to add the minced garlic and give it a good stir for another minute for that aroma to punch through. Then, set that chicken aside to rest while you hit the pasta.

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil, then cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it’s just al dente. Drain it and keep it warm.

In the same skillet you used for the chicken, melt butter over medium heat, then add your minced garlic, cooking it for a minute till it’s nice and fragrant. Time for the cream: stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning plus salt and pepper.

Simmer that sauce for about 3 to 5 minutes so it thickens up good. Then, toss your cooked pasta into the sauce, coating everything evenly, and stir in your chopped parsley.

Finally, return your chicken bites to the skillet and stir it all up. Let it all cook together for another 2 to 3 minutes until it’s nice and heated through. Garnish with a little fresh parsley before serving up the plate.

Time Savers That Actually Work

If you don’t wanna fuss too much, you can prep your chicken pieces the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. That way it’s ready to go when you are.

Also, you can mince your garlic in batches, store it in a small jar in the fridge, and just scoop out what you need. This little trick saves chopping every single time.

Using quick release on your pressure cooker, you cut down wait time big time when the cooking cycle ends. Just watch the valve hiss and get ready to eat.

For more tips on quick meals and convenience cooking, take a peek at our Classic Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa.

When You Finally Get to Eat

Dang, that first bite just hits right. Juicy chicken smothered in garlicky butter blends with the rich Parmesan pasta and you feel all cozy inside. It’s that kinda food that just hugs your soul.

You notice the cream sauce clings to every strand of pasta like it’s made just for it, while the fresh herbs give a little pop of brightness that keeps each mouthful exciting.

Your taste buds catch all the comforting flavors: a little garlic here, a hint of paprika there, and that smooth cheesy sauce that makes you wanna slow down and savor every bite.

Served garlic butter chicken bites with creamy Parmesan pasta on plate — A warm serving of garlic butter chicken bites with creamy Parmesan pasta, perfect for dinner.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh and Ready

After dinner, if you’ve got leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Your chicken and pasta combo will stay nice and tasty for up to 3 days. Just make sure to cool it down before sealing.

Want to keep it longer? Pop the leftovers into a freezer-safe box and freeze for up to a month. When it’s time to eat again, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat to keep the cream sauce smooth and the chicken tender. You can add a splash of cream or water if it looks too thick. Microwave works too but stirring every so often is key.

What People Always Ask Me

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yeah you totally can. Chicken thighs work great here and stay super tender in the pressure cooker.
What pasta is best for this dish? Penne or fettuccine are your best bets because they hold the creamy sauce well but honestly any pasta you like will do.
Is it okay to use pre-minced garlic from a jar? It is, but fresh always gives a better punch. If you’re in a pinch pre-minced works.
How do I avoid the sauce breaking when reheating? Low and slow when reheating, plus a splash of cream helps keep that sauce smooth and creamy.
What if I want it spicier? Toss in some crushed red pepper flakes when cooking the chicken or add hot sauce to the cream sauce. Goes dang good.
Can I make this meal vegan? Not with this exact recipe since it uses cream and cheese but swapping the butter and cream for plant-based versions and using tofu could get you close.

For more comfort food ideas and tasty appetizers, see our Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer with Salami & Green Olives.