Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties – Tender chicken breast in a rich, garlicky, cheesy sauce over bowtie pasta. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy chicken every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Crispy Beef Stir Fry with Vegetables and Vegan Lentil Empanadas with Veggie Filling & Chimichurri.
Why This Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy chicken in every bite
- Rich, creamy garlic butter sauce
- Easy, better-than-takeout meal
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
- parsley
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: red pepper flakes
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time. → See on Amazon
- High-Quality Non-Stick Skillet — Prevents chicken from sticking and ensures even cooking. → 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 hot skillet until golden and crispy, then set aside.
- Step 2: Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic. Stir in heavy cream, mozzarella cheese, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Add cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine with the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking chicken. Cook in batches if necessary to maintain a high heat and prevent steaming.
- Pro tip: For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Pro tip: Reserve some pasta water before draining. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to thin it out.
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 fresh before serving.
Freezing 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 (180°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 a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta fresh before serving to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to thin it out. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Chef's Knife — Makes quick work of mincing garlic and ensures even cooking. → 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
- parsley
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook in a hot skillet until golden and crispy, then set aside.
- Step 2: Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic. Stir in heavy cream, mozzarella cheese, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Add cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine with the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta fresh before serving to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to thin it out. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce.
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 (180°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: You can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Cook the pasta fresh before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 750
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 40g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 170mg
- Sat. Fat: 23g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties FAQs
Yes, you can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Cook the pasta fresh before serving to prevent it from becoming mushy.
The sauce may have become dry if it was simmered for too long or if not enough liquid was used. Try adding a little more heavy cream or pasta water next time.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
While you can cook the chicken in the air fryer, the sauce and pasta would be best cooked on the stovetop for the best results.
You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version or with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
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!
