Cozy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Craving a comforting, cheesy pasta dish? My Cozy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties are the perfect solution. After making this dish dozens of times, I discovered the secret to a creamy, irresistible sauce. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes and Golden Crust Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins.
Why This Cozy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties Is Pure Comfort
- Irresistible creamy sauce
- Better than takeout taste
- Easy, one-pan cooking
- Family-friendly and comforting
What You'll Need for Cozy 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.
- chicken breasts
- bowtie pasta
- mozzarella cheese
- garlic
- butter
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: grated Parmesan
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. → See on Amazon
- Heavy-Duty Pasta Pot — Prevents pasta from sticking and boiling over. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chicken breasts, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour, then gradually add chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and add heavy cream. Stir in mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy. Return chicken to skillet and add cooked pasta. Toss to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It can become tough and dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the ingredients before starting to cook. This will make the process smoother and faster.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat.
- Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Simply combine with cooked pasta before serving.
Storing & Reheating Cozy 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: You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Simply combine with cooked pasta before serving.
Freezing Cozy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra layer of flavor, add a splash of white wine to the skillet before adding the chicken broth.
- Best substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute with an equal amount of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed in.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Simply combine with cooked pasta before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Non-Stick Skillet — Ensures even cooking and easy cleanup. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- bowtie pasta
- mozzarella cheese
- garlic
- butter
Seasonings
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chicken breasts, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour, then gradually add chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and add heavy cream. Stir in mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy. Return chicken to skillet and add cooked pasta. Toss to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra layer of flavor, add a splash of white wine to the skillet before adding the chicken broth.
- Best substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute with an equal amount of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed in.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Simply combine with cooked pasta before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce.
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.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Simply combine with cooked pasta before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Simply combine with cooked pasta before serving.
The most common reason for a dry sauce is overcooking. Be sure to simmer the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency, but don't let it boil too long.
While you can cook the chicken in the air fryer, the pasta and sauce are best cooked on the stovetop for optimal texture and flavor.
If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute with an equal amount of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed in.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy 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!
