Description
A cozy and creamy dish featuring bowtie pasta, chicken thighs, and a rich cheddar sauce, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunky bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 3/4 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp milk (for extra thickness)
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta until tender but still firm to the bite, then drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, tossing to coat evenly.
- Heat the olive oil with 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken, cooking undisturbed for about 4–5 minutes to form a golden crust. Turn the chicken pieces and continue cooking until they are fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a plate once done.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same pan. Let it melt, and then stir in the minced garlic. Cook until fragrant, which should take about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and milk, lightly stirring as the mixture starts to bubble gently.
- Once bubbling, stir in the cornstarch mixture for added thickness, then gradually add both types of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Add the cooked bowtie pasta back to the skillet, tossing until each piece is well coated with the sauce.
- Gently mix in the previously cooked chicken, allowing everything to warm together for another minute.
- Serve your Garlic Butter Chicken Bowtie Pasta hot, garnished with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
A great recipe for busy weeknights that can be adapted to include vegetables or swapped for shrimp.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, creamy garlic, easy dinner, family friendly