Description
Succulent Lemon Garlic Chicken with Creamy Bowtie Pasta brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Zesty lemon, tender chicken, and rich cream sauce create a comforting meal that satisfies hearty appetites.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 300 g (10 oz) bowtie pasta
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps butter
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Marination: Blend lemon juice, zest, crushed garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a vibrant marinade for chicken breasts. Immerse chicken and let flavors meld for 15-20 minutes.
- Chicken Preparation: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Sear marinated chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and let rest momentarily.
- Pasta Cooking: Bring salted water to a boil and cook bowtie pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving a small amount of cooking liquid for potential sauce modification.
- Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté finely chopped onions until translucent. Add minced garlic and briefly stir to release aromatic essence.
- Cream Fusion: Pour heavy cream into the skillet, incorporating freshly grated Parmesan and remaining lemon zest. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to harmonize.
- Final Assembly: Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Slice chicken into elegant strips and position atop the pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley and an additional Parmesan sprinkle.
Notes
Marinate Mindfully: Allow chicken to soak in lemon-garlic mixture for at least 15 minutes, but avoid exceeding 30 minutes to prevent the acid from breaking down protein fibers and making meat tough.
Sear with Precision: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and ensure it’s properly heated before adding chicken to achieve a golden, crispy exterior without burning the marinade’s delicate flavors.
Pasta Perfection: Cook bowtie pasta just until al dente, as it will continue absorbing sauce after mixing, preventing a mushy texture and maintaining ideal pasta consistency.
Sauce Synchronization: Keep reserved pasta water handy to adjust sauce thickness, adding small amounts if the cream sauce becomes too dense, ensuring a silky, smooth coating for the pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg