Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken and bowtie pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce topped with melted mozzarella.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
05 - 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or mixed)

→ Sauce

06 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

→ For Serving

13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish

# Method:

01 - Boil bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water, and set aside.
02 - Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herbs.
03 - Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
04 - Lower heat to medium, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in the skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, bring to a simmer, and scrape up browned bits from the pan.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth.
07 - Return cooked chicken to skillet, add drained pasta, and toss together. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
08 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over pasta. Cover skillet and let sit 2–3 minutes until cheese melts.
09 - Top with chopped parsley, extra Parmesan, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Tender chicken and bowtie pasta combined in one dish
  • Rich garlic butter sauce topped with melted mozzarella
02 -
  • Using reserved pasta water helps create a silky sauce consistency
  • Substitute half-and-half for a lighter cream option
03 -
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness perfectly
  • Cover the skillet to melt mozzarella evenly without drying out pasta
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