Easy Garlic Butter Chicken with Bowtie Pasta

If you’re craving a cozy, comforting dinner that feels a little special but comes together fast, Garlic Butter Chicken with Bowtie Pasta is about to become your new favorite. It’s rich, flavorful, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

Tender chicken cooks in a buttery garlic sauce, then gets tossed with perfectly cooked bowtie pasta that catches every bit of that delicious flavor. This dish feels indulgent without being complicated, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights, casual family dinners, or even a relaxed weekend meal.

What I love most about this recipe is how effortlessly it comes together while still tasting restaurant-worthy. One pan, one pot, and a whole lot of comfort — that’s always a win in my book.

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Ingredients for Garlic Butter Chicken with Bowtie Pasta

• 12 oz bowtie pasta (340 g farfalle)
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces (450 g)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42 g)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (about 2 g)
• ½ teaspoon paprika (about 1 g)
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste (about 3 g)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (about 0.5 g)
• ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
• ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml) – optional, for a creamier sauce
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken with Bowtie Pasta

1. Cook the pasta
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
2. Season the chicken
   While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Toss gently so everything coats evenly.
3. Cook the chicken
   Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly golden. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Make the garlic butter sauce
   In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining butter and minced garlic. Cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic smells fragrant but does not brown.
5. Build the sauce
   Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes. If using heavy cream, stir it in now and let the sauce warm through.
6. Combine everything
   Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Toss until everything is well coated in the garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
7. Finish and garnish
   Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Don’t overcook the pasta
  Cook the bowtie pasta just until al dente. It will absorb more sauce when tossed with the chicken, and overcooked pasta can turn mushy.
• Use chicken thighs if you prefer
  Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (450 g / 1 lb) work beautifully here and stay extra juicy.
• Make it extra creamy
  For a richer sauce, increase the heavy cream to ¾ cup (180 ml) and add an extra tablespoon of butter.
• Add vegetables
  Stir in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, broccoli florets, or cherry tomatoes for more color and nutrition.
• Spice it up
  Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne if you like a little heat.
• Make it lighter
  Skip the cream and use extra chicken broth for a lighter garlic butter sauce that still tastes amazing.

Serving Ideas

• Classic and cozy
  Serve Garlic Butter Chicken with Bowtie Pasta hot, straight from the skillet, with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese on top.
• With a fresh side
  Pair it with a simple green salad, Caesar salad, or arugula tossed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness.
• Bread on the side
  Add warm garlic bread, dinner rolls, or crusty bread to soak up every bit of that buttery sauce.
• For a complete meal
  Serve alongside roasted vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or zucchini for an easy, well-rounded dinner.
• Entertaining or family-style
  Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl, garnish with parsley and grated Parmesan, and let everyone help themselves — perfect for casual gatherings or weeknight family dinners.

FAQs

Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Garlic Butter Chicken with Bowtie Pasta

Print

Tender chicken cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, tossed with bowtie pasta and Parmesan for an easy, comforting dinner everyone loves.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz bowtie pasta (340 g farfalle)
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, bite-size pieces (450 g)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42 g)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (about 2 g)
• ½ teaspoon paprika (about 1 g)
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste (about 3 g)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (about 0.5 g)
• ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
• ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml, optional)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the bowtie pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
   
2. Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
   
3. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes until fully cooked and lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
   
4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add remaining butter and garlic. Cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
   
5. Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream if using.
   
6. Add pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly. Stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy.
   
7. Remove from heat, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

Keep heat low when adding cheese to prevent separation.

Add a splash of broth when reheating to refresh the sauce.

Red pepper flakes add a nice kick if you like heat.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1¼ cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 520

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients used.

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s comforting, flavorful, and easy enough for busy nights, Garlic Butter Chicken with Bowtie Pasta truly checks all the boxes. It’s rich without being heavy, simple without being boring, and always a crowd-pleaser at the table.

I hope you give this recipe a try and make it part of your weeknight rotation. If you do, don’t forget to save it on Pinterest, share it with someone who loves cozy pasta dinners, and let me know how it turned out in the comments. I always love hearing your twists and additions 💕

Happy cooking! 🍝✨