Bowtie Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

by
Pin

🎀🍋 Bowtie Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Creamy, Zesty & Comforting with a Bright Twist

This Bowtie Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta is the perfect balance of rich comfort food and fresh citrus flavor. Tender chicken strips are seasoned and sautéed to golden perfection, then tossed in a creamy lemon garlic Parmesan sauce that clings beautifully to every fold of bowtie (farfalle) pasta. It’s elegant enough for date night, yet easy enough for a cozy weeknight dinner.

The lemon cuts through the cream, the garlic adds depth, and the Parmesan ties everything together into one irresistibly creamy, crave-worthy dish.

⏱️ Recipe Overview

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Cook Time: 25 minutes

  • Total Time: 40 minutes

  • Servings: 4–6

  • Calories: ~520 per serving

📝 Ingredients

For the Pasta & Chicken:

  • 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp paprika

  • Salt & cracked black pepper, to taste

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce:

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • ½ cup chicken broth

  • Zest of 1 lemon

  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tbsp)

  • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning

  • Optional: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes for gentle heat

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Fresh parsley, chopped

  • Extra Parmesan cheese

  • Lemon slices

🍽️ Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Bowtie Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Pro Tip: The pasta water helps loosen the sauce and make it silky smooth.

2️⃣ Season & Sauté the Chicken

Season chicken strips with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan—this helps the chicken get a nice golden sear.

3️⃣ Build the Lemon Garlic Sauce

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and scrape up the flavorful bits from the pan. Stir in heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Let simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.

4️⃣ Add Parmesan & Combine

Slowly stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
Return cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer for 2–3 minutes to soak up the lemony cream sauce.

Next →

Leave a Comment