Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties — The ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes! After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to the perfect creamy sauce. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try this quick Tortellini Carbonara for another easy pasta dish. and For a delicious breakfast option, try these Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissants..
Why This Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties Is Pure Comfort
- The creamiest, cheesiest sauce that's not too heavy.
- Tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta in one pan.
- Garlic butter goodness in every bite.
- Ready in 30 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner.
What You'll Need for Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- bowtie pasta
- mozzarella cheese
- heavy cream
- garlic
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect cooking. → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Effortlessly grate cheese for a smooth, creamy sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook diced onions and minced garlic until softened. Add heavy cream, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Add uncooked bowtie pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in grated mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy. Return chicken to the skillet, stirring to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It will become tough and dry. Remove it from the skillet as soon as it's cooked through.
- Pro tip: For an even creamier sauce, use a box grater to grate the mozzarella cheese. It melts smoother and faster than pre-shredded cheese.
- Pro tip: To prevent the pasta from sticking, make sure to stir it occasionally while it cooks in the skillet.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can cook the chicken and make the sauce ahead of time. Combine and cook the pasta just before serving.
Freezing Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even more tender results.
- Make-ahead: This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Stainless Steel Skillet — The perfect kitchen tool for one-pot pasta dishes like this one. Pays for itself vs takeout! → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- bowtie pasta
- mozzarella cheese
- heavy cream
- garlic
Seasonings
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook diced onions and minced garlic until softened. Add heavy cream, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Add uncooked bowtie pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in grated mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy. Return chicken to the skillet, stirring to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even more tender results.
- Make-ahead: This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can cook the chicken and make the sauce ahead of time. Combine and cook the pasta just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties FAQs
You can cook the chicken and make the sauce ahead of time. Combine and cook the pasta just before serving.
Using pre-shredded cheese can cause a grainy sauce. Use freshly grated cheese for a smooth, creamy sauce.
Yes, cook the chicken and onions in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Add the pasta and other ingredients in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Yes, heavy cream will make the sauce richer and creamier. Use 1 cup of heavy cream instead of 1 cup of milk.
Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or serve with hot sauce on the side.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
