Ingredients
- 12 ounces bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Substitution tips: If you don’t have bowtie pasta on hand, penne or rotini work beautifully here. For a dairy-free version, you can swap butter for olive oil and use a dairy-free cream alternative, though the cheese component will change the texture a bit. And if you’re short on fresh garlic, garlic powder works in a pinch, but fresh really does make a difference.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned—this is where that magical flavor starts to build.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the garlic butter. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Stir in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, mixing until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked chicken and pasta back into the skillet, tossing everything together to coat evenly with the cheesy garlic butter sauce. If needed, add more pasta water for a silky consistency.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately, while everything is warm and inviting.
Here’s a personal tip: I like to keep a small bowl of extra Parmesan nearby at the table. It’s a simple way to make each plate feel a bit more special, just like my grandmother did when she’d let me sprinkle a little extra cheese on top before dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International