Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken

The first time I made this chicken and pasta, my apartment smelled so incredible that my neighbor actually knocked on my door to ask what I was cooking. I've since learned that garlic butter has this magical way of bringing people to the table faster than anything else.

Last Tuesday I was running late from work and threw this together in under 30 minutes. My partner walked in, took one bite, and asked if this was one of those recipes that takes all day to make. I didnt have the heart to tell him how effortless it actually was.

Ingredients

• Boneless chicken breasts: Cutting them into bite sized pieces means they cook faster and every forkful gets the perfect chicken to pasta ratio
• Bowtie pasta: These little bows are like tiny sauce cups that hold onto all that gorgeous garlic butter cream
• Unsalted butter: You control the salt this way and the butter flavor really shines through without competing
• Fresh garlic: Please use fresh here, the jarred stuff just doesnt give you that same fragrant punch when it hits the hot butter
• Heavy cream: This is what transforms the sauce from simple to luxurious, dont try substituting milk here
• Mozzarella and Parmesan: The mozzarella gives you those gorgeous melted cheese strands while Parmesan adds that salty umami depth
• Fresh parsley: A little sprinkle of green at the end makes everything look like it came from a restaurant kitchen

Instructions

Cook your pasta to perfect al dente:

Get that salted water boiling like the ocean and cook the bows until they still have a tiny bite in the center, then scoop out and save that starchy pasta water before draining

Season and sear the chicken:

Toss those bite sized pieces with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning, then let them get golden and gorgeous in hot olive oil until theyre cooked through

Build your fragrant base:

Melt butter in that same pan and let the garlic sizzle for just a minute until your whole kitchen smells amazing

Create the creamy magic:

Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, let them become friends in a gentle simmer, then stir in both cheeses until you have the most velvety smooth sauce

Bring it all together:

Toss the chicken and pasta back into that beautiful sauce, adding splashes of your reserved pasta water until everything is coated in glossy perfection

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This recipe has become my go to when friends announce they're coming over for dinner unexpectedly. It's the kind of meal that makes everyone lean back in their chairs and say wow without you having to do anything fancy at all.

Making It Your Own

I've discovered that adding a handful of baby spinach right at the end makes me feel slightly virtuous about all that cream and cheese. The greens wilt instantly into the sauce and suddenly you've got something that feels a tiny bit balanced.

Perfect Pairings

A crisp green salad with an acidic vinaigrette cuts through all that richness perfectly. I also like to serve some crusty garlic bread on the side because apparently there's no such thing as too much garlic in my house.

Make Ahead Wisdom

You can season and cut the chicken up to a day ahead, storing it in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook. This tiny bit of prep makes the whole process feel even more manageable on busy weeknights.

• The sauce thickens up quickly in the fridge so thin it with a splash of cream or pasta water when reheating
• This pasta actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together
• If you know you're meal prepping, cook the pasta slightly less than al dente since it will continue softening

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Some recipes are just reliable in the best possible way, and this one has never let me down.

Recipe FAQs

→ What pasta works best for this dish?

Bowtie (farfalle) pasta is ideal as it holds the creamy sauce well and complements the chicken's texture.

→ Can I substitute mozzarella with another cheese?

Yes, mild cheeses like Monterey Jack or Fontina can provide a similar creamy melt without overpowering the flavors.

→ How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?

Reserve some pasta cooking water and add it gradually to the sauce while tossing to reach the desired consistency.

→ Is it necessary to season the chicken before cooking?

Seasoning the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs enhances its flavor and complements the creamy sauce.

→ Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Absolutely! Sautéed mushrooms, baby spinach, or peas are excellent additions to enrich both flavor and nutrition.