Here’s a delicious and easy recipe for Lemon Garlic Chicken with Parmesan Bowtie Pasta—creamy, zesty, and packed with flavor! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels gourmet.
🍋 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Parmesan Bowtie Pasta
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 4-6
📝 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), sliced into cutlets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Chicken:
- Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 mins per side until golden and cooked through.
- Add 1 tbsp butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Sauté 1 min, then remove chicken and set aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Pasta:
- Boil bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
3️⃣ Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add garlic, sauté 30 sec until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Simmer 2-3 mins until slightly thickened.
- Add lemon zest, parsley, salt, and pepper.
4️⃣ Combine & Serve:
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
- Slice chicken and place on top of pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley.
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Extra tender chicken: Pound cutlets to even thickness before cooking.
✔ More veggies? Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce.
✔ Crispy option: Grill the chicken instead of pan-searing.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Pair with: Garlic bread, roasted asparagus, or a Caesar salad.
- Wine pairing: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
This dish is restaurant-worthy but ready in 30 minutes! Who’s making it tonight? 😍🍝
(P.S. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of cream!)
