Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream Recipe
Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream is a comforting, creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast and bowtie pasta tossed in a rich garlic butter and cheesy sauce. This flavorful meal is quick to prepare, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauté & Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Cheese & Garnish
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside to use later in the dish.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken cubes with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Make Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet with garlic. Let it simmer gently for 3–4 minutes to reduce slightly and blend flavors.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes rich and smooth.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, tossing them to coat well with the creamy sauce.
- Add Pasta: Incorporate the cooked bowtie pasta into the skillet, mixing thoroughly so all pasta is well coated with the sauce and chicken.
- Melt Mozzarella: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and chicken mixture. Cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish, and serve hot for a deliciously creamy chicken pasta experience.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes to taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting texture and flavor.
- If heavy cream is unavailable, substitute with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less thick.
- This dish re-heats well; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to maintain creaminess.
- Fresh parsley adds bright color and a mild herbaceous note; flat-leaf parsley is preferred.
Keywords: mozzarella chicken pasta, garlic butter chicken, creamy chicken pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner