If you’ve ever dealt with disappointingly dry chicken in your pasta dishes, you understand the frustration. My go-to recipe for Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties completely transforms that experience, promising perfectly juicy, flavorful chicken every single time.

This incredibly satisfying one-pan wonder delivers rich flavors and tender chicken, making it the ideal fuss-free weeknight meal your family will adore.

Why This Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties Belongs in Your Recipe Box

The Secret to Consistently Juicy Chicken

Achieving truly tender chicken breast starts with proper preparation. Patting the chicken dry, seasoning generously, and searing at the right temperature creates a beautiful crust that locks in moisture.

Crucially, allowing the chicken to rest after cooking redistributes its juices, ensuring every slice remains succulent and never dry.

Your Weeknight Dinner, Simplified

This Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort.

It comes together quickly in a single pan, significantly cutting down on cleanup time.

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It’s a complete, satisfying meal perfect for busy evenings when you need something delicious on the table fast.

A Flavorful Family Favorite, Guaranteed

The classic combination of tender chicken and savory pasta in a creamy sauce is universally appealing.

Even the pickiest eaters often ask for seconds of this comforting and hearty dish, making it a reliable crowd-pleaser.

Its robust, comforting flavors ensure it remains a go-to choice for a wholesome family dinner.

Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties

The Chicken: Boneless, Skinless Perfection

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used here for their quick cooking time and lean protein content.

Aim for similarly sized pieces, about 1-inch thick, to ensure even cooking and prevent any parts from drying out prematurely.

Always pat them thoroughly dry before seasoning; this promotes superior searing and a crisp, golden crust.

Farfalle Pasta: The Bow Tie Charm

Farfalle, affectionately known as ‘bow tie’ pasta, is perfect for this dish due to its unique shape.

Its nooks and crannies are excellent at capturing and holding the rich, creamy sauce, ensuring every bite is flavorful.

Cooking it al dente (to the tooth) ensures a pleasant chew and prevents the pasta from becoming mushy when combined with the sauce.

Aromatic Foundation: Garlic & Herbs

Freshly minced garlic forms the aromatic base of our flavorful sauce, infusing it with warmth and depth.

A generous scattering of fresh chopped parsley at the end adds a bright, herbaceous lift and vibrant color to the finished dish.

This fresh element is key for balancing the richness and adding a delightful freshness.

Creamy Sauce Essentials: Broth & Parmesan

Good quality chicken broth creates the essential liquid base for our silky skillet sauce.

It’s also crucial for deglazing the pan, capturing all the flavorful browned bits (fond) from the chicken.

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts seamlessly into the broth, lending a rich, savory creaminess and nutty depth that is simply irresistible.

A touch of butter at the start of the sauce brings a velvety richness and helps sauté the garlic beautifully.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties Perfection

Prepare the Chicken:
Pat the chicken breasts very dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
This critical step ensures a beautiful golden crust and tender interior, enhancing both flavor and texture.
Sear for Golden Goodness:
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
Carefully add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, and cook for 4-6 minutes per side.
The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through (an internal temperature of 165°F). Avoid moving the chicken too much; this allows a delicious crust to form, sealing in the juices.
The Crucial Chicken Rest:
Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a cutting board.
Loosely tent it with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.
This step is vital for redistributing the juices throughout the chicken, ensuring every bite remains moist and succulent.
Cook the Farfalle:
While the chicken rests, cook 8 ounces of farfalle pasta according to package directions in well-salted water until it is al dente.
Before draining the pasta, remember to reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water; this will be used later for the sauce.
Build the Fragrant Sauce:
Return the same skillet to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 cloves of minced garlic.
Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth (or the reserved pasta water), bringing it to a simmer and vigorously scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly reduces and thickens, creating a rich and flavorful base.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
Add the cooked and drained farfalle pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce.
Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it is fully combined and the sauce becomes beautifully creamy.
If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Slice and Integrate Chicken:
Slice the rested chicken breasts against the grain into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
This method ensures maximum tenderness. Add the sliced chicken to the pasta in the skillet and toss gently to combine everything.
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish generously with 1/4 cup of fresh chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, as desired.
Serve your Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties immediately for the best flavor and texture, enjoying it hot and fresh.

Chef’s Tips & Tricks for Ultimate Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties

Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet!
When searing your chicken, ensure each breast has enough space to sear properly in the pan.
Overcrowding the skillet lowers the pan temperature dramatically, leading to the chicken steaming rather than developing a beautiful golden-brown crust.
If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches to achieve that perfect sear every time.
The Power of Deglazing
Those browned bits, known as ‘fond,’ stuck to the bottom of your skillet after cooking the chicken are pure concentrated flavor.
When you add the chicken broth or reserved pasta water, make sure to scrape up these bits with a wooden spoon.
This process, called deglazing, infuses your sauce with incredible depth and savory richness, creating a more complex and satisfying dish.
Listen to Your Pasta Water
That reserved pasta water is a secret weapon in your kitchen, far more than just for thinning the sauce.
Its starches help to emulsify and bind the sauce, creating an extra silky and creamy consistency that perfectly coats every piece of farfalle.
Add it judiciously, a tablespoon at a time, to achieve exactly your desired sauce consistency, preventing a dry or watery outcome.
Fresh Herbs Make a Difference
While dried parsley can be substituted in a pinch, fresh chopped parsley adds a vibrant pop of color and a distinct fresh, herbaceous note.
This freshness elevates the entire dish, cutting through the richness and providing a balancing flavor.
Whenever possible, reach for fresh herbs; their impact on flavor and aroma is truly significant.

Troubleshooting Common Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties Questions

Why is my chicken dry?

The most common reason for dry chicken is overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure you pull the chicken off the heat promptly once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Also, never skip the crucial resting step after cooking; this allows the juices to redistribute back into the meat, ensuring the chicken remains moist and tender.

My sauce isn’t creamy enough, or it’s too thick.

For a creamier sauce, ensure you’re stirring in the Parmesan cheese off the heat or at a very low simmer to prevent it from clumping.

If the sauce is too thick, gradually add more of your reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

If it’s too thin, let it simmer gently for a few more minutes to allow it to reduce and thicken slightly.

How do I get a good sear on the chicken?

First, make sure your skillet is hot enough before adding the chicken; the olive oil should be shimmering but not smoking.

Crucially, pat the chicken breasts very dry with paper towels before placing them in the hot pan, as moisture inhibits browning.

Once the chicken is in the skillet, avoid moving it too much; give it time to develop that beautiful, flavorful crust on each side.

Elevate Your Meal: Serving & Storage Suggestions

Perfect Pairings for Your Dish

This Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties dish is wonderfully hearty and satisfying on its own, making it a complete meal.

However, it pairs beautifully with a light, crisp green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette to add a fresh counterpoint.

Alternatively, serve it alongside some crusty garlic pull-apart bread, perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

While best served immediately for optimal texture and flavor, leftovers of this Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

We generally do not recommend freezing this dish, as the pasta and creamy sauce textures may suffer upon thawing and reheating, becoming less appealing.

Reheating for Best Results

To reheat leftovers, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Add a splash of chicken broth or water as needed to loosen the sauce and rehydrate the pasta and chicken, restoring its creamy consistency.

Avoid reheating on high heat, which can cause the chicken to dry out and the sauce to separate.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Dish

Can I use different pasta shapes?

Absolutely! While farfalle holds the sauce beautifully, feel free to substitute with other short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or orecchiette.

Just cook your chosen pasta according to its package directions until al dente, and remember to reserve some of that starchy pasta water for the sauce.

What if I don’t have fresh parsley?

Fresh parsley offers the best flavor and visual appeal for this dish, but if you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried parsley.

Alternatively, other fresh herbs like chives or basil can be used for garnish, though they will slightly alter the final flavor profile.

Can I make this gluten-free or dairy-free?

To make this Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties dish gluten-free, simply use your favorite brand of gluten-free farfalle pasta, cooking it as directed.

For a dairy-free version, you can omit the Parmesan cheese or opt for a plant-based Parmesan substitute, ensuring your chicken broth is also dairy-free.

Be aware that the sauce texture might differ slightly without the richness and emulsifying properties of traditional dairy cheese.

Your New Weeknight Favorite Awaits!

You now have all the tools and expert knowledge to create a truly exceptional Skillet Chicken & Bow Ties that’s consistently juicy, bursting with flavor, and incredibly satisfying.

Say goodbye to dry chicken and hello to your new go-to weeknight hero, a comforting dish that will quickly become a family favorite.

We encourage you to give this easy skillet meal a try and experience the delightful difference these simple techniques make. For more inspiring ideas, explore our collection of creamy chicken pasta recipes for your next delicious dinner!