Chicken and bowties in garlic butter sauce, finished with mozzarella for a comforting, flavorful Italian-inspired dinner.
# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces bowtie (farfalle) pasta
→ Chicken
02 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (such as oregano, basil, or mixed Italian seasoning)
→ Sauce
06 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
→ For Serving
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
02 - Combine chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and Italian herbs to ensure even seasoning.
03 - Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
04 - Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add remaining 3 tablespoons butter and minced garlic, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring mixture to a simmer.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, blending thoroughly until a smooth sauce forms.
07 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and reserved pasta water as needed. Toss gently to coat all ingredients in sauce.
08 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the pasta mixture, cover the skillet, and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is fully melted.
09 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, additional Parmesan, and black pepper to taste. Serve hot.