Print

Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties

creamy cheesy garlic butter chicken bowties - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy pasta dish featuring garlic butter chicken and a homemade mozzarella sauce, perfect for cozy family dinners or weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for chicken)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano (optional)
  • 8 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • Salted water for boiling pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk, warmed (use dairy-free milk if needed)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Extra shredded mozzarella or Parmesan for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 10-12 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Add minced garlic in the last 2 minutes and stir well. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
  4. Slowly pour in 1 ½ cups warm milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Lower heat and stir in 1 cup shredded mozzarella, ½ cup grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  6. Return cooked chicken to skillet with sauce. Toss in drained pasta and mix gently until evenly coated. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Add extra shredded cheese on top if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Use warm milk to prevent sauce clumping. Freshly shred cheese for best melting. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cook chicken in batches to avoid steaming. For dairy-free, substitute milk and cheese with plant-based alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pasta, garlic butter chicken, mozzarella sauce, bowtie pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy chicken pasta

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/creamy-cheesy-garlic-butter-chicken-bowties-recipe-easy-homemade-mozzarella-sauce/