Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties – After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to the creamiest, most irresistible chicken pasta you’ve ever tasted. The golden, melty mozzarella cheese and crispy chicken bites make this better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Irresistibly Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe Tonight and Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Pork Chops Recipe Easy Family Dinner Idea.
Why This Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties Is Pure Comfort
- The creamiest, most indulgent garlic butter sauce
- Crispy chicken bites that stay crispy even in the sauce
- One pot, easy cleanup, and ready in 30 minutes
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
- Mozzarella cheese
- Heavy cream
- Garlic
- Butter
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Parsley (for garnish)
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs or tenders.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and crispy chicken → See on Amazon
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature without overcooking → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Step 1: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in butter. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in cooked pasta and mozzarella until creamy.
- Step 3: Return chicken to skillet, toss to combine. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken or it will become tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, deglaze the skillet with a splash of white wine or chicken broth before adding the cream.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, cook chicken and pasta separately, store in the fridge, then combine and heat when ready to serve.
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 for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
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 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with an equal amount of milk for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Cook chicken and pasta separately, store in the fridge, then combine and heat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality pasta pot — Even cooking and no sticky pasta for easy cleanup → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Bowtie pasta
- Mozzarella cheese
- Heavy cream
- Garlic
- Butter
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Parsley (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in butter. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in cooked pasta and mozzarella until creamy.
- Step 3: Return chicken to skillet, toss to combine. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with an equal amount of milk for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Cook chicken and pasta separately, store in the fridge, then combine and heat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container 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 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 750
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties FAQs
Yes, you can cook the chicken and pasta separately, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Overcooking the chicken can make it dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) but not more.
Yes, cook the chicken in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, then proceed with the recipe.
Yes, bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, then proceed with the recipe.
You can substitute heavy cream with an equal amount of milk for a lighter 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!
