Indulgent Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream

Name: Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 oz bowtie pasta; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 teaspoon garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 4 pieces chicken breasts, cubed; 1 1/2 cups heavy cream; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

This indulgent Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream is pure comfort in a bowl. Tender cubes of chicken seared in butter meet pillowy bowtie pasta, all coated in a rich, creamy sauce studded with melted Parmesan and gooey Mozzarella. The aroma of garlic and Italian seasoning fills the kitchen as the cheeses melt into the warm cream, creating a silky sauce that clings to every pasta twist. Texturally, you get a satisfying contrast between the tender chicken and the smooth, stretchy cheese, while the parsley adds a fresh pop at the end.

This dish is ideal for a cozy weeknight dinner, a weekend treat when you want something comforting, or a casual gathering where you want an easy, delicious centerpiece. For other cheesy comfort ideas, try these tasty cheesy garlic chicken wraps to mix up your meal rotation.

Ingredients

12 oz bowtie pasta — classic farfalle shape that holds sauce in its folds.
2 tablespoons butter — used to cook the chicken and add richness to the sauce.
1 teaspoon garlic, minced — fresh garlic brings fragrant, savory aroma.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning — a balanced herb blend for Italian flavor.
1/2 teaspoon salt — enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper — adds mild heat and depth.
4 pieces chicken breasts, cubed — main protein, cut into bite sized pieces for quick cooking.
1 1/2 cups heavy cream — creates the luxurious, creamy base for the sauce.
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated — salty, nutty cheese that melts into the cream.
1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded — provides gooey, melty texture.
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped — bright herb to finish and add color.

For another creamy pasta favorite, see this Creamy Velveeta Chicken Rotini Pasta Delight.

Step-by-step Instructions

Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside. Tip: reserve the exact amount of hot pasta water specified so you can loosen the sauce if needed.
Prepare the chicken. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Tip: do not overcrowd the pan so the chicken browns evenly.
Season the chicken. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the chicken. Stir to coat evenly. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Tip: add the garlic only after the chicken is mostly cooked to prevent burning.
Make the cream base. Pour heavy cream into the skillet with the chicken and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it warm and bubble gently for 2 to 3 minutes to slightly thicken. Keep the heat moderate so the cream does not boil vigorously.
Add the Parmesan. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the cream and forms a smooth sauce. Stir continuously to avoid clumping.
Melt in the mozzarella. Add shredded Mozzarella cheese in batches, stirring until fully melted. If the sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water as needed. Tip: add pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Combine pasta and sauce. Toss the cooked bowtie pasta in the skillet with the sauce until coated. Heat together for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps the pasta absorb some of the sauce.
Finish and serve. Stir in chopped fresh parsley, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve hot.

For a similar rich pasta experience, you might enjoy this Deliciously Cheesy Chicken Garlic Wraps.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: Approximately 1,130 calories per serving

For another hearty bowtie option, check this Garlic Butter Beef Cheesy Bowtie Pasta.

Tips, Storage & Variations

Tips

Use the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick; the starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
Keep heat at medium-low when melting the cheeses to prevent graininess.
Let the chicken pieces reach a light golden color for better texture.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to revive the sauce.

Freezing

Creamy cheese sauces can change texture when frozen. If you must freeze, cool completely, place in airtight containers, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly, stirring frequently.

Flavor variations using only the ingredients listed

Extra cheesy: increase the Mozzarella proportion in the sauce by stirring in an extra 1/4 cup if you prefer more stretch.
Herb forward: stir a touch more chopped parsley into the finished dish for a brighter finish.
Extra saucy: reserve less pasta for serving and use more of the cream and cheese to make a saucier result.

For another cream and cheese pairing inspiration, see this Garlic Butter Steak Parmesan Cream Sauce.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different pasta shape with this sauce?
A: Yes, any similar shape that holds sauce, such as penne or rotini, will work well.

Q: Should I cook the chicken fully before adding cream?
A: Yes, cook the chicken until golden and cooked through before adding the cream to ensure even cooking.

Q: How do I stop the cheese from becoming stringy or clumpy?
A: Melt cheese over medium-low heat and stir constantly; add reserved pasta water to smooth the sauce if needed.

Q: Can I make this ahead and reheat?
A: You can make it ahead and refrigerate, then reheat gently on the stove with a splash of reserved pasta water.

Q: Is it necessary to reserve pasta water?
A: It is recommended because the starchy water helps thin and bind the sauce to the pasta.

Q: Can I use pre-grated cheeses?
A: Yes, pre-grated cheeses work, but freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly.

Conclusion

This Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream is a comforting, flavorful dish that comes together quickly and delivers big on taste and texture. If you enjoyed this recipe, you might like this savory Garlic Butter Chicken with Bowtie Pasta for another take on buttery garlic flavors, or try a slow cooker approach with this Slow Cooker Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Pasta when you want hands off cooking. I hope you give this recipe a try and share how it turned out with friends and family for a cozy, delicious meal.

Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream

Print Recipe

This indulgent dish features tender chicken and bowtie pasta in a rich, creamy sauce with melted Parmesan and gooey Mozzarella.

Author: hannah-reed
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz bowtie pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 pieces chicken breasts, cubed
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
Prepare the chicken. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Season the chicken. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the chicken. Stir to coat evenly. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
Make the cream base. Pour heavy cream into the skillet with the chicken and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it warm and bubble gently for 2 to 3 minutes to slightly thicken.
Add the Parmesan. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the cream and forms a smooth sauce.
Melt in the mozzarella. Add shredded Mozzarella cheese in batches, stirring until fully melted. If needed, add reserved pasta water gradually to adjust the thickness.
Combine pasta and sauce. Toss the cooked bowtie pasta in the skillet with the sauce until coated. Heat together for 1 to 2 minutes.
Finish and serve. Stir in chopped parsley, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve hot.