Description
Zesty lemon garlic chicken with creamy bowtie pasta brings Mediterranean sunshine to dinner tables. Rich herbed sauce and tender chicken create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Liquids and Zest:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by seasoning thoroughly with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, cooking chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165F/75C.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a plate, loosely cover with aluminum foil to retain warmth and moisture.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add bowtie pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes until perfectly al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining, then set pasta aside.
- Using the same skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic flavors.
- Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
- Pour in heavy cream, fresh lemon juice, and zest, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop rich flavors.
- Incorporate Italian seasoning, additional salt, and pepper into the sauce.
- Gradually add Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Adjust sauce thickness by adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and carefully fold into pasta.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish for a vibrant finishing touch.
- Serve immediately while the pasta and chicken are warm and sauce is creamy.
Notes
- Always pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and enhances flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a richer, more authentic taste compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
- Keep reserved pasta water as a secret weapon to control sauce consistency and help sauce cling perfectly to pasta.
- Swap regular bowtie pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg