Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken and bowtie pasta tossed in a creamy garlic butter mozzarella sauce for a hearty dinner.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ For the Pasta

06 - 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

→ For the Sauce

07 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
11 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
14 - Salt and pepper, to taste
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water for later use.
02 - Season bite-sized chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ensuring even coating on all sides.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
05 - Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken broth, stirring constantly to combine. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
06 - Stir in 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until completely melted and sauce has thickened, approximately 3–4 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
07 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet, add prepared pasta, and toss thoroughly to coat. Add reserved pasta water gradually if sauce needs thinning. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Its the kind of dinner that makes everyone put their phones away and actually talk to each other
  • Bowtie pasta catch every drop of that cheesy garlic sauce in their little folds
02 -
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it stands, so do not be afraid to keep it a little looser than you think you want
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly than cold cream straight from the fridge
  • If your sauce breaks, a tiny splash of pasta water usually brings it back together beautifully
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for the smoothest sauce texture
  • Never walk away from garlic in hot butter, it goes from fragrant to bitter in seconds

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