Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream Recipe
A rich and creamy Italian-inspired dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken breast and bowtie pasta tossed in a luscious garlic butter and cheesy cream sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
Protein and Oils
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Bowtie Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain, but do not rinse, and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Sauté chicken for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken and coat the back of a spoon.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until melted and smooth.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Add Bowtie Pasta: Incorporate the cooked pasta into the skillet and gently mix to ensure all pasta is coated with the cheesy sauce.
- Melt Mozzarella: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta and chicken mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit on low heat for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the lid, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- For added heat, include red pepper flakes as desired.
- Customize this dish by adding your favorite vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Use fresh mozzarella cheese for an even creamier texture.
- Ensure the pan isn’t overcrowded when sautéing the chicken to achieve nice browning.
- Salt your pasta water generously to enhance flavor.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to speed up the cooking process.
- For extra creaminess, a splash of white wine can be added during sauce preparation.
Keywords: mozzarella garlic butter chicken, bowtie pasta, cheesy cream sauce, Italian chicken pasta, creamy garlic chicken, Parmesan cheese, comfort food
