Description
Creamy Lemon Chicken Bowties is a comforting pasta dish combining tender seasoned chicken, bowtie pasta, and a bright, rich lemon-garlic cream sauce. It’s elegant enough for entertaining yet simple for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced (approximately 2–3 breasts)
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup lemon juice (fresh)
- 3 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional for pasta water)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook for about 12 minutes or according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, keeping it warm.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Combine thyme, paprika, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl and season the chicken slices. Cook the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until fully cooked and browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter, then add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Simmer over medium-low heat for 4–5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add lemon juice and stir. Mix in the minced parsley, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Return the cooked chicken to the sauce and toss to coat. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the chicken and sauce. Stir in ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, topped with remaining Parmesan and additional parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Add lemon zest for extra lemon aroma without additional sourness.
- Reheat gently with a splash of cream or pasta water to maintain the sauce’s consistency.
- Can substitute chicken with shrimp, turkey, or vegetables for a vegetarian version.
- Best enjoyed fresh as cream sauces don’t reheat well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
