Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken and bowtie pasta tossed in garlic butter sauce with melted mozzarella cheese.

# What You Need:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Boil salted water in a large pot and cook bowtie pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water, and set aside.
02 - Season chicken pieces evenly with salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herbs.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
04 - Reduce heat to medium and melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth and creamy.
07 - Return cooked chicken to skillet, then add drained pasta. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
08 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the pasta mixture, cover skillet, and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese melts.
09 - Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish and serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Tender chicken and bowtie pasta combine for a hearty meal
  • Rich garlic butter sauce with melted mozzarella offers great flavor
02 -
  • For a lighter version substitute half-and-half for heavy cream
  • Add sautéed spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition
03 -
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency
  • Let the cheese melt covered to get a perfect gooey texture
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