Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties — After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve perfected the creamiest, most comforting chicken pasta dish. The trick I discovered is using heavy cream and a touch of cornstarch for an irresistible, velvety sauce. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and Rhubarb Bars with Cream Cheese.
Why This Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties Is Pure Comfort
- The creamiest, most indulgent garlic butter sauce
- Tender chicken and perfectly cooked bowties in every bite
- Ready in just 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner
- Better than takeout and perfect for meal prepping
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.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Bowtie pasta
- Heavy cream
- Mozzarella cheese
- Garlic
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Heavy cream: You can substitute half-and-half or milk for a lighter version.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Quickly grate cheese for even melting. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Cook Pasta: Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and slice.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add heavy cream and cornstarch mixture. Stir until thickened. Add mozzarella and stir until melted.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- : Use full-fat heavy cream for the richest, creamiest sauce.
- Common mistake and fix: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.
- : For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- : To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
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 make the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Cook the pasta just before serving.
Freezing Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra layer of flavor, deglaze the skillet with a splash of white wine after cooking the chicken.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with sliced mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and assemble the dish just before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
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High-quality Non-stick Skillet — Even heat distribution and easy cleanup for perfect searing and cooking. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Bowtie pasta
- Heavy cream
- Mozzarella cheese
- Garlic
Seasonings
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and slice.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add heavy cream and cornstarch mixture. Stir until thickened. Add mozzarella and stir until melted.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra layer of flavor, deglaze the skillet with a splash of white wine after cooking the chicken.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with sliced mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and assemble the dish just before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
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.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Cook the pasta just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 38g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sat. Fat: 22g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Cook the pasta just before serving to prevent it from becoming mushy.
If the sauce is grainy, it's likely that the dairy curdled. This can happen if the dairy is too hot. To fix, temper the dairy by mixing a little of the hot liquid into the dairy before adding it to the skillet.
While you can cook the chicken in the air fryer, the pasta and sauce are best cooked on the stovetop for the best texture and flavor.
You can substitute half-and-half or milk for a lighter version. For a non-dairy option, use coconut cream or a nut-based cream.
This dish is perfect for a cozy, comforting Thanksgiving dinner. It's easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, freeing up your oven for other dishes.
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!
