Description

This Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken is a creamy, comforting dish combining tender seared chicken, al dente bowtie pasta, and a luscious garlic butter Parmesan sauce topped with melted mozzarella. It’s an easy stovetop meal perfect for weeknight dinners that balance rich flavors with fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or mixed)

Sauce

4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Garnish

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Boil the bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water for later use in the sauce.
Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herbs, ensuring even coating for flavor.
Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet, and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Add Broth: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to add depth of flavor.
Prepare Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
Melt Mozzarella: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta in the skillet. Cover with a lid and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes until the mozzarella melts into a gooey topping.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the lid, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese on top, add freshly ground black pepper to taste, and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency; it helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
Melt the mozzarella by covering the skillet to create a creamy cheesy finish without using the oven.
Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh flavor, but can be omitted if unavailable.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken, creamy chicken pasta, easy weeknight dinner, garlic butter sauce, Italian herbs chicken, one skillet chicken pasta