Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Creamy mozzarella garlic butter chicken bowties are the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to the perfect creamy sauce. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe and Creamy Potato Soup — A Cozy Comfort Food Delight.
Why This Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties Is Pure Comfort
- The rich, creamy sauce is made with just a few simple ingredients
- Crispy chicken and tender bowties in every bite
- Better than takeout and ready in under 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.
- 1 lb bowtie pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Optional: Crispy bacon bits
- Optional: Sautéed mushrooms
- Optional: Roasted cherry tomatoes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Bowtie pasta: Any shape pasta can be used as a substitute.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. → See on Amazon
- High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents chicken and pasta from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Cook pasta: Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Cook chicken: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add mozzarella cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
- Combine and serve: Add cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh 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 dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine or chicken broth before adding the cream.
- Pro tip: To make this dish spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the garlic butter sauce.
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: The garlic butter sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat before combining with pasta and chicken.
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 (175°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, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute the mozzarella cheese with provolone or cheddar cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time and store separately in the fridge. Reheat and combine with the garlic butter sauce when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of milk or chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chef's knife — Makes prep work a breeze and ensures even cooking. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb bowtie pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Crispy bacon bits
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Roasted cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Cook chicken: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add mozzarella cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
- Combine and serve: Add cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute the mozzarella cheese with provolone or cheddar cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time and store separately in the fridge. Reheat and combine with the garlic butter sauce when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of milk or chicken broth.
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 (175°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: The garlic butter sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat before combining with pasta and chicken.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 720
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 48g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 200mg
- Sat. Fat: 29g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties FAQs
The sauce may not be thickening because the cream was added too cold. Make sure the cream is at room temperature before adding it to the skillet.
Yes, you can make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Reheat before combining with pasta and chicken.
The chicken may be overcooked or the sauce may not have enough liquid. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C) and add more liquid to the sauce if needed.
Yes, you can make this dish in the slow cooker. Cook the chicken and pasta separately and combine with the garlic butter sauce in the slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours.
Add sautéed mushrooms, roasted cherry tomatoes, or crispy bacon bits for extra flavor.
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!
