Creamy Garlic Chicken Bowtie Pasta

Name: Creamy Garlic Chicken Bowtie Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced or sliced; 12 oz bowtie pasta, dried; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; Fresh parsley, chopped

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Bowtie Pasta is a cozy, weeknight-friendly meal that balances rich, velvety sauce with tender bites of chicken and perfectly cooked bowtie pasta. The sauce is silky from heavy cream and Parmesan, while garlic, butter, and olive oil build a fragrant base that fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Texture plays nicely here: soft pasta, smooth sauce, and juicy chicken pieces create comforting mouthfuls in every bite. This dish is ideal when you want something satisfying without fuss, whether for a family dinner, a casual date night, or to meal prep for busy weekdays. If you enjoy creamy chicken pasta meals, you might also like this take on creamy rotisserie chicken and broccoli pasta, which offers a different vegetable twist while keeping that comforting creaminess.

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced or sliced
Small pieces cook quickly and soak up the sauce.
12 oz bowtie pasta, dried
Bowtie shapes hold creamy sauce in their folds for great bites.
4 garlic cloves, minced
Fresh garlic gives bright, aromatic flavor; mince finely.
2 tbsp butter
Adds richness and helps create a glossy sauce.
2 tbsp olive oil
Helps cook chicken and prevents butter from burning.
1 cup heavy cream
The base of the sauce for a silky, indulgent texture.
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Melts into the sauce for saltiness and nutty depth.
Salt and pepper to taste
Simple seasoning to bring flavors into balance.
1 tsp Italian seasoning
A mix of herbs that complements the garlic and cheese.
Fresh parsley, chopped
Brightens the finished dish with color and freshness. For another garlic-forward meal made for wraps, try the cheesy garlic chicken wraps.

Step-by-step Instructions

Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water if needed. Tip: save the pasta water to loosen the sauce later if it becomes too thick.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter melts and foams. Make sure the pan is hot but not smoking.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid browning. Garlic should be soft and aromatic, not burnt.
Add diced chicken breast, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir occasionally so the chicken cooks evenly and develops a bit of color.
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken slightly while stirring occasionally. Keep the heat moderate so the cream does not boil vigorously.
Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Parmesan helps the sauce thicken and become silky.
Toss in cooked bowtie pasta to coat evenly with the sauce and heat through. If the sauce clings too tightly, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. If you enjoy bowtie dishes, you may also like the savory flavors in garlic butter beef cheesy bowtie pasta.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: approximately 820 calories per serving

If you want a spicier variant for a later meal, consider the flavor profile found in the buffalo chicken alfredo pasta for inspiration on balancing heat with creaminess.

Tips, Storage & Variations

Tips

Dice the chicken into even pieces so it cooks uniformly.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor.
Keep the heat moderate when simmering cream to prevent curdling.
Use the reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without watering down flavor.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to restore creaminess.
To freeze, cool completely and freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Note that texture may change slightly after freezing.

Variations using existing ingredients only

Extra garlicky: increase the garlic to 6 cloves for more punch.
Cheesier: stir in an extra 1 to 2 tablespoons of Parmesan for a richer finish.
Herb-forward: add a bit more Italian seasoning to taste for pronounced herbal notes.
Butter-forward: increase butter by 1 tablespoon for a silkier sauce.

For a buttery, savory spin that leans into garlic and herbs, check out this related recipe idea: cowboy butter chicken pasta recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a different pasta shape?
A: Yes, any pasta will work; cook according to package directions and adjust sauce amount as needed.

Q: Is heavy cream necessary?
A: Heavy cream gives the richest texture, but once you follow the recipe do not substitute with ingredients not listed.

Q: How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
A: Chicken is done when it is no longer pink inside and registers 165 F internally, or when pieces are firm and juices run clear.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: You can cook components ahead, then reheat gently and toss together just before serving to maintain texture.

Q: How do I prevent the sauce from separating?
A: Keep heat moderate while simmering and stir frequently; adding cheese gradually helps emulsify the sauce.

Conclusion

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Bowtie Pasta is a simple, satisfying dinner that comes together quickly and fills the kitchen with warm, savory aromas. If you want a slightly different approach to creamy garlic chicken pasta, you might enjoy this Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe – Key To My Lime for another take on cream and garlic. For a one-pot option that includes veggies, see this One Pot Creamy Garlic Chicken and Veggie Pasta. Give this recipe a try, savor the creamy sauce, and share how it turned out with friends or in the comments. Enjoy a cozy, flavorful meal.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Bowtie Pasta

Print Recipe

A cozy, weeknight-friendly meal featuring a rich, velvety sauce with tender chicken and perfectly cooked bowtie pasta.

Author: hannah-reed
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced or sliced
12 oz bowtie pasta, dried
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water if needed.
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter melts and foams.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring constantly.
Add diced chicken breast, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken slightly.
Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Toss in cooked bowtie pasta to coat evenly with the sauce and heat through.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.