Creamy Bowtie Pasta with Garlic Chicken Bites
A cozy, creamy pasta skillet with juicy garlic chicken bites and bowtie pasta coated in a rich, silky sauce—simple, comforting, and weeknight-friendly.
🛒 Ingredients
🍗 Garlic chicken bites
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
🍝 Pasta
- 2–3 cups bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- Salt (for boiling water)
🥣 Creamy sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups heavy cream (or half cream + half milk)
- ½ cup chicken broth or pasta water
- ¾ cup grated cheddar or mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, adds depth)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
🌿 Optional garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Extra Parmesan
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Cook pasta
- Boil bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain
2. Cook garlic chicken bites
- Heat oil or butter in a large skillet
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning
- Cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through
- Add garlic and sauté 30–60 seconds
- Remove chicken and set aside
3. Make creamy sauce
- In the same pan, melt butter
- Add cream and chicken broth (or pasta water)
- Stir in Dijon mustard and chili flakes
- Simmer 2–3 minutes
4. Add cheese
- Stir in cheddar and Parmesan until smooth and creamy
- Adjust seasoning
5. Combine everything
- Add cooked pasta into sauce
- Toss to coat evenly
- Return chicken bites to pan and mix gently
- Simmer 1–2 minutes so flavors combine
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Serve with garlic bread 🥖
- Add a side salad 🥗
- Sprinkle extra cheese on top 🧀
- Add lemon zest for brightness 🍋
🔥 Tips
- Don’t overcook chicken—keep it juicy
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother sauce
- Add pasta water to loosen sauce if needed
- Cook sauce gently (no boiling) for creaminess
🧄 Why it’s so good
Tender garlic chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and bowtie pasta trap every bit of flavor—rich, comforting, and perfect for a quick homemade “restaurant-style” meal.