Description
This Indulgent Lemon Garlic Chicken with Creamy Bowtie Pasta is a delightful, comforting dish that combines tender, seared chicken with a luscious creamy lemon garlic sauce tossed with perfectly cooked farfalle pasta. Rich Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley add layers of flavor and freshness making it a perfect meal for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pieces Chicken Breasts (cut into bite-sized chunks)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 piece Lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
Sauce & Pasta
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- 8 ounces Farfalle Pasta (or whole wheat/spinach-infused varieties)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Begin by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, and the zest of one lemon to infuse bright citrus flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and sear for 5-6 minutes until they develop a golden brown crust and are fully cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside to rest.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken rests, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Prepare the Sauce: Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and reserved lemon zest, then allow the mixture to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to thicken and meld flavors.
- Melt the Cheese and Combine: Lower the heat further and gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Toss in the cooked farfalle pasta and seared chicken pieces, mixing well. If the sauce seems too thick, adjust consistency by adding a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by garnishing with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy this rich and flavorful comforting pasta dish.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.
- Freshly grated Parmesan yields the best flavor and smooth texture in the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency to your liking.
- Use whole wheat or spinach-infused farfalle pasta to add nutritional value and a fun color twist.
- You can marinate the chicken briefly with lemon juice and garlic for even more flavor, but it’s optional.
