Easy Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Creamy mozzarella garlic butter chicken bowties are the ultimate weeknight dinner. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamiest, most indulgent sauce that’s better than takeout. The crispy chicken and tender bowties in a golden, melty cheese sauce will make your whole family beg for seconds. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try these crispy ham and cheese croissants for a quick appetizer and Pair this dish with a classic Caesar salad for a perfect meal.
Why This Easy Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy chicken in every bite
- Rich, creamy sauce that's better than takeout
- Easy, one-pan cooking for busy weeknights
- Customizable with your favorite veggies or proteins
What You'll Need for Easy 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
- mozzarella cheese
- heavy cream
- garlic
- butter
- olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- fresh parsley
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh basil
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Thinly slice for even cooking.
- heavy cream: For a lighter version, use half-and-half.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Quickly grate cheese for smooth, creamy sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Cook chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook in olive oil over medium heat until golden and crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Boil water and cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make sauce: In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic. Add heavy cream, bring to a simmer, then stir in grated mozzarella until melted and creamy. Add cooked chicken and pasta, toss to combine.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. Top with grated Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. Remove it from the pan once it's golden and crispy to prevent it from becoming tough.
- Pro tip: For an extra creamy sauce, reserve some pasta water before draining the pasta. Add it to the sauce if needed.
- Pro tip: To make this dish even heartier, add some sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the sauce.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and add some chicken broth to the sauce.
Storing & Reheating Easy 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: The chicken and pasta can be cooked ahead of time and stored separately in the fridge. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra garlicky kick, add some minced garlic to the pasta water before cooking.
- Best substitution: Use shredded chicken breast for an even quicker meal.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add some chicken broth or pasta water to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Easy Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- bowtie pasta
- mozzarella cheese
- heavy cream
- garlic
- butter
Seasonings
- olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- fresh parsley
Optional Toppings
- grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook in olive oil over medium heat until golden and crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Boil water and cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make sauce: In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic. Add heavy cream, bring to a simmer, then stir in grated mozzarella until melted and creamy. Add cooked chicken and pasta, toss to combine.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. Top with grated Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra garlicky kick, add some minced garlic to the pasta water before cooking.
- Best substitution: Use shredded chicken breast for an even quicker meal.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add some chicken broth or pasta water to thin it out.
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 overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: The chicken and pasta can be cooked ahead of time and stored separately in the fridge. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Cholesterol: 145mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties FAQs
Yes, you can cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Overcooking the chicken and pasta can lead to a dry dish. Be sure to remove the chicken from the pan once it's golden and crispy, and cook the pasta al dente.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, you can cook the chicken in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Then proceed with the recipe as written.
For a lighter version, use half-and-half. For a dairy-free version, use canned coconut milk or a dairy-free creamer.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy 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!
