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Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta - Easy One Pan Weeknight Dinner

This creamy garlic butter chicken pasta combines tender chicken pieces with bowtie pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce for a comforting weeknight meal. The one-pan dish comes together in just 30 minutes using basic pantry staples with minimal cleanup required.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken cubes with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Add heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice if using.
  6. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve hot for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Bowtie pasta holds sauce well, don't overcook garlic, reserve pasta water for perfect sauce consistency, fresh herbs elevate the dish, customizable with different proteins