Save Tender chicken and bowtie pasta tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, topped with melted mozzarella for a comforting and flavorful dish.
I first made this for my family on a busy Thursday night and was amazed at how quickly it came together. The melted mozzarella and garlic butter sauce always get rave reviews at our dinner table.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 12 oz (340 g) bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- Chicken: 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or mixed)
- Sauce: 4 tbsp (60 g) unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth, 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
- For Serving: Freshly ground black pepper, extra Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta:
- Cook bowtie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup (60 ml) of pasta water.
- Season Chicken:
- Season chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and Italian herbs.
- Cook Chicken:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce:
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add remaining 3 tbsp butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze & Simmer:
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Add Cream & Cheese:
- Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan, mixing until smooth.
- Combine:
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
- Melt Mozzarella:
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over pasta and cover skillet. Let sit for 2 minutes, or until cheese melts.
- Finish & Serve:
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
Save It is now a regular request at birthdays and cozy family gatherings. Everyone loves that stretchy layer of mozzarella on top!
Required Tools
Large pot, large skillet with lid, strainer, wooden spoon or spatula, chefs knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains: Milk (butter, cream, Parmesan, mozzarella), Wheat (pasta). May contain egg if using egg pasta.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 620, Total Fat 27 g, Carbohydrates 54 g, Protein 41 g
Save This creamy chicken pasta is simple yet always impresses. Serve hot for best results and enjoy every cheesy, garlicky bite!