The Cheesecake Factory Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic is a perfect copycat of my favorite creamy, cheesy bacon and mushroom pasta dish and one of the most popular recipes on the menu!
The Cheesecake Factory Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic
I know I must seem like I only eat out at a few places, but we do truly love going to the Cheesecake Factory. We’ve been big fans of copycat recipes from the Cheesecake Factory (you can see all the Cheesecake Factory copycats here) including my favorites, Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira and Cheesecake Factory Spicy Cashew Chicken.
How to lighten this Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic recipe:
- Use half the oil to cook the chicken and only use half the bacon.
- Use fat free half and half instead of heavy cream and use half the amount.
- only use Parmesan as a garnish, not mixed in.
- Cut batons of zucchini to add bulk to the pasta without more calories. If you add two full zucchinis, cut pasta by half.
- You can roast them or add them to the pan with a small amount of butter and cook them gently through.
- I don’t make the recipe with peas but you can certainly add them in, even in addition to the zucchini.
How to Roast Garlic:
- Slice the top off the head of garlic exposing every clove.
- In a piece of foil drizzle some olive oil then place garlic cut side down.
- Roast for 30 minutes or until deeply browned.
- Let cool before removing from head of garlic
The roasted garlic is actually my favorite part of this dish. I actually sometimes double what the recipe calls for because we all love the roasted garlic so much. I also sometimes will take some of the garlic and mash it into the pan to incorporate it with the sauce for more garlic flavor.
With the Parmesan Cheese I use shaved Parmesan because I love the flavor and how it melts. You can use shredded, but grated will have a terrible texture in the dish and isn’t recommended.
Tools used in the making of this The Cheesecake Factory Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic:
Cast Iron Skillet: This is my most used pan in my kitchen, heavy, keeps heat well and gives the BEST sear ever.
Sun Dried Tomatoes: I use these A LOT in cream sauces, on salads and sandwiches. They’re delicious tomato candy!
Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic (The Cheesecake Factory Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 head roasted garlic cloves removed (recipe above)
- 2 chicken breasts boneless skinless
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 pound bow tie pasta aka farfalle, cooked and drained -but not rinsed
- 12 ounces center cut bacon cut into strips
- 8 ounces crimini mushrooms quartered
- 1/2 yellow onion chopped
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes reserve the oil and chop roughly
- 3/4 cup white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- If you haven't cooked the pasta, cook it now according to the directions on the box.
- Cut the chicken into 1" cubes and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
- To a cast iron skillet add the olive oil on high heat.
Cook the chicken until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Remove from the pan, reduce the heat to medium-high heat and add in the bacon.
- Cook until crisp and remove the bacon (leave the fat).
Add in the mushrooms and onions and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start browning.
- Remove the mushrooms and onions from the pan to where the chicken and bacon are.
Add in the sun dried tomatoes, white wine, and stir well, then let reduce by half, about 15 minutes.
- Add in the heavy cream, roasted garlic, chicken and vegetables.
- Add in most of the Parmesan cheese leaving just a garnishing amount.
- Stir well, then add in the pasta and bacon and combine everything.
- Garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese.
all i have is moscato can i use that?
I usually try and use a more even flavored white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon blanc. Moscato is very sweet so it might change the flavor profile of the dish.
Delicious!!!!
Thanks for the 5 stars, Maricel! Glad you enjoyed it.
I MISS RESTAURANT FOOD!! This has always been my go to at Cheesecake Factory and the recipe didn’t disappoint!
Used 8oz of pancetta in place of the bacon and had to drain half the grease – it was swimming!! Also used half and half and added peas. My garlic also took closer to an hour to brown, but that Mary have been operator error.
Great recipe!
This Was very good and a hit with the family. I was my worst critic… I realize this is a copy cat recipe for the Cheesecake Factory Farfalle, but the next time I make this I will change up a bit. I think I’ll add more sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, add half the sauce more, and less cheese. The dish did get a lot of mmm mmm mmm from the family lol. A side of salad and garlic bread or Parmesan crisps from Trader Joe’s. Can’t miss…
Amazing. Only thing that was different was I had to roast the garlic for about 45 minutes. Will make many times to come. Thank you.
I made this without white wine and mushrooms and it was sooooooo delish!!!! you have to make this at home! I think this is better than Cheesecakes recipe lol
You’re so kind, Emily! Thanks for the 5 stars.
I would be forever grateful if u made a copy of their brick chicken. I love the brick chicken! It comes with this green sauce that is amazing!
I’ll add it to my research list. Thanks for the suggestion!
You’re not suppose to cook on high heat on a cast iron pan. That’s what I’ve been told.
You absolutely can use a cast iron pan to cook on high heat. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Do you leave the roasted garlic cloves whole?
Yes 🙂