Garlic Butter Chicken Bowtie Pasta – Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

This garlic butter chicken bowtie pasta combines tender chicken breast with farfalle pasta in a rich, savory butter sauce that will become an instant family favorite. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting dish delivers restaurant-quality flavors with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.

Step 2: While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add heavy cream and stir to combine.

Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked bowtie pasta. Toss everything together to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

Step 6: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

Expert Tips

For the best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents that can affect the sauce texture. If you’re looking for more creamy pasta options, try our creamy chicken ranch pasta for another family favorite.

Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken – cook in batches if necessary to ensure proper browning. The fond (browned bits) left in the pan after cooking the chicken adds incredible depth of flavor to the sauce.

For a complete meal, serve this garlic butter pasta with a side of roasted vegetable side dishes or a fresh salad.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of pasta? Absolutely! While bowtie pasta works beautifully with this sauce, you can substitute with penne, fusilli, or any short pasta that holds sauce well. For more pasta inspiration, check out our bruschetta pasta recipe.

How do I store leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to refresh the sauce.

Can I make this dish ahead of time? You can prepare the components separately and combine them just before serving for best results. The sauce may thicken when refrigerated, so you’ll need to thin it with additional broth when reheating.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bowtie Pasta – Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

This garlic butter chicken bowtie pasta combines tender chicken breast with farfalle pasta in a rich, savory butter sauce that will become an instant family favorite. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting dish delivers restaurant-quality flavors with minimal effort.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 520

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Method

 

Instructions

1. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add heavy cream and stir to combine.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked bowtie pasta. Toss everything together to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best texture. Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking chicken. The browned bits in the pan add depth of flavor to the sauce.