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Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta: Easy One-Pan Bowtie Pasta Dinner

This comforting family-friendly dinner combines tender chicken, al dente bowtie pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. The one-pan wonder delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Stir in heavy cream and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained bowtie pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the garlic butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  6. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Don't overcook the garlic (1-2 minutes until fragrant). Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking.