Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Bowtie Pasta Recipe (30 Mins)

Looking for a quick, savory dinner that tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant? This creamy bowtie pasta with pan-seared poultry hits all the right notes for a cozy family meal. It takes under 30 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal choice for an easy weeknight dinner. The rich, garlicky cream sauce beautifully coats the noodles and tender chicken, creating a deeply satisfying dish. This recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta offers comfort and flavor without requiring hours in the kitchen. It delivers a full meal experience with minimal effort, perfect for busy evenings.

Why This Recipe Works

This creamy farfalle recipe consistently delivers outstanding results with minimal fuss. Its design focuses on efficiency and flavor, ensuring a delicious outcome every time.

• Fast Preparation: This dish is designed to be a true 30-minute meal. From start to finish, the entire process takes less than half an hour. This speed is achieved by cooking the pasta and chicken simultaneously, then quickly combining them with a fast-developing sauce. It minimizes active cooking time, allowing for a quick turnaround from pantry to plate.
• Simple Ingredients: You do not need exotic items for this pasta. The recipe relies on readily available pantry staples and basic proteins. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pasta, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a few aromatics form the core. This simplicity ensures accessibility and reduces your grocery list.
• Family Friendly: The mild, rich sauce appeals to a wide range of palates, making it a hit with both kids and adults. The smooth parmesan cream sauce is not overly spiced, offering a comforting flavor profile that most families appreciate. The familiar shapes of bowtie noodles also contribute to its appeal, especially for younger diners.

Ingredients You Need

Gather the following ingredients for this flavorful and straightforward dish. Precision in measurement ensures the best outcome for your Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta.

• 16 ounces Farfalle pasta
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully to create a delicious creamy poultry dish that will impress. Each stage is designed for maximum flavor and efficiency.

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 16 ounces of farfalle pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. This typically takes 8 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Season them generously on both sides with 1 teaspoon of salt and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper. Ensure an even coating for balanced flavor.
3. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the seasoned chicken breasts. Pan-sear the chicken breast for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet, place it on a cutting board, and let it rest for a few minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender meat. After resting, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces or thin strips.

4. Reduce the heat in the same skillet to medium. Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the pan. Once the butter has melted, add the 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for approximately 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. Avoid browning the garlic, as this can make it bitter.
5. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly. Then, gradually whisk in the 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy. This creates a luxurious parmesan cream sauce, forming the heart of your garlicky cream sauce.

6. Add the drained farfalle pasta and the sliced pan-seared chicken to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything gently to ensure the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the rich sauce. Garnish the dish generously with 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while hot.

Expert Cooking Tips

Achieving restaurant-quality results at home is simpler with these professional insights. These tips ensure your Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta reaches its full potential.

• Do Not Rinse the Pasta: After draining your farfalle pasta, resist the urge to rinse it under cold water. The natural starches left on the noodles act as a binding agent. This starch helps the rich garlicky cream sauce cling to every strand, creating a more cohesive and flavorful dish. Rinsing washes away these valuable starches, resulting in a less integrated sauce.
• Room Temperature Cream: For a flawlessly smooth sauce, consider letting your 1 cup of heavy cream sit out at room temperature for about 15 minutes before adding it to the skillet. Cold cream can sometimes cause the sauce to seize or separate when introduced to a hot pan, especially when combined with cheese. Room temperature cream incorporates more seamlessly, yielding a consistently velvety parmesan cream sauce.
• Freshly Grated Cheese: The quality of your Parmesan cheese significantly impacts the final texture of your sauce. Pre-shredded or pre-grated cheeses often contain anti-caking agents like cellulose. These agents can prevent the cheese from melting smoothly, potentially making your creamy farfalle recipe grainy. Opt for a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh just before adding it to the sauce for the best, silkiest results.

Variations to Try

While the classic Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is perfect as is, these optional additions allow for personalization and extra flavor dimensions.

• Add Veggies: For a boost of nutrition and texture, stir in fresh vegetables. Consider adding a handful of fresh spinach during the last two minutes of the sauce’s simmering time. The residual heat will wilt it perfectly. Alternatively, for a more intense flavor, incorporate about half a cup of sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained, and roughly chopped) when you add the pasta to the sauce.
• Spice it Up: If you prefer a dish with a gentle kick, introduce some heat. Add half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the skillet when you sauté the minced garlic. This will infuse the garlicky cream sauce with a subtle warmth that complements the richness without overpowering it. Adjust the quantity of red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.

Storing and Reheating

Proper storage and reheating techniques ensure your leftover creamy poultry dish remains delicious. This makes meal prep and future enjoyment convenient.

Store any leftovers of your Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, transfer the pasta to a skillet or saucepan. Reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop. The sauce may thicken considerably in the refrigerator. To restore its creamy consistency, add a splash of milk or chicken broth as it heats, stirring until the sauce loosens and becomes smooth again. Avoid reheating at high temperatures, as this can cause the sauce to separate or the chicken to dry out.

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Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Bowtie Pasta

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 16 oz Farfalle pasta
• 1 lb Chicken breasts boneless, skinless
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves minced
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

 

• Boil a large pot of salted water and cook farfalle pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and pan-sear for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked (165F internal temperature). Remove, let rest, and slice.
• In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 2 minutes to thicken slightly. Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.
• Toss the cooked pasta and sliced chicken into the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

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