Description
Succulent lemon garlic chicken nestled atop creamy bowtie pasta delivers a Mediterranean-inspired culinary journey. Home cooks can savor this simple yet elegant dish that brings comfort and zesty flavors to the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 300 g (10 oz) bowtie pasta
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water vessel to a vigorous boil. Immerse bowtie pasta and cook to al dente perfection. Drain, preserving a small quantity of cooking liquid, and set aside.
- Chicken Transformation: Season chicken breasts with a robust spice blend. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Sear chicken until golden and thoroughly cooked, developing a caramelized exterior. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and transfer to a holding plate.
- Sauce Crafting: Utilize the same skillet to create a velvety sauce. Melt butter and introduce minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence. Pour in heavy cream, integrating Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Whisk until the mixture achieves a smooth, slightly thickened consistency.
- Pasta Integration: Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is luxuriously coated. Sprinkle fresh parsley throughout, adding vibrant color and herbal complexity. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Plating Finale: Slice chicken into elegant strips and arrange atop the creamy pasta. Garnish with additional parsley and present lemon wedges for personalized zest. The dish is now ready to captivate discerning palates with its harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a splash of starchy pasta water to help sauce cling perfectly to bowtie pasta, creating a silkier, more cohesive texture.
- Perfect Chicken Sear: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure a golden-brown, crispy exterior that locks in juicy flavor.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from heat when adding Parmesan to prevent curdling, allowing residual warmth to gently incorporate cheese into sauce.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter versions, and use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg