Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta dish combining tender chicken and a velvety cheese sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until just tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil with 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the chicken is lightly golden and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan and let it melt. Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly, about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream, stirring gently to combine and create a smooth base.
- Add the Velveeta and cream cheese, stirring until fully melted and blended into the sauce.
- Mix in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth and glossy. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the sauce, gently tossing until everything is well coated.
- Let it sit over low heat for a couple of minutes to allow the sauce to settle and cling to the pasta.
- Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan on top for an appealing finish.
Notes
For a lighter version, replace the chicken with sautéed mushrooms and spinach. Use plant-based alternatives for cheese and cream to make it dairy-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, creamy, garlic, dinner, family-friendly