Description
This Lemon Garlic Chicken with Creamy Bowtie Pasta is a quick and flavorful one-pan recipe that combines tender, seasoned chicken with a luscious lemon-infused garlic cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked bowtie pasta. Ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner, this dish balances citrus brightness with rich parmesan and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the cubed chicken breast evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse flavor before cooking.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken cubes and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta until al dente according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water for the sauce.
- Sauté garlic and add lemon: In the same skillet used for the chicken, add additional butter if needed. Sauté the minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice to brighten the sauce.
- Make the cream sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir in the grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening for better coating.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir gently to coat everything evenly in the flavorful lemon garlic cream sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if using, for a touch of freshness and mild heat. Serve immediately while hot for the best taste experience.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Adding red pepper flakes is optional but provides a nice subtle heat.
- Fresh parsley adds a vibrant color and fresh taste but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps loosen the sauce without thinning the flavor.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
