Description
A bright, creamy, weeknight-friendly pasta packed with juicy lemon-garlic chicken and silky bowtie noodles. This easy recipe tastes restaurant-worthy yet comes together fast—perfect for quick dinner, easy dinner, or weeknight meal prep. It also checks the box for breakfast ideas, dinner ideas, food ideas, and even a cozy healthy snack when portioned light. The zesty lemon, fresh garlic, and Parmesan cream sauce make every bite addictively good.
Ingredients
1½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
12 oz farfalle (bowtie) pasta
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large lemon, zested and juiced (2 tbsp juice)
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
2. Pat chicken dry. Season with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, and the lemon zest.
3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Transfer to a plate.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream; simmer 2–3 minutes. Whisk in Parmesan until smooth.
6. Stir in 1–2 tbsp lemon juice. Season to taste. Loosen with splashes of reserved pasta water to a silky consistency.
7. Add drained pasta; toss to coat.
8. Return chicken to the pan; simmer 1 minute to warm through.
9. Finish with parsley and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Add lemon juice off the heat or on low to keep the cream from curdling.
Reserve pasta water—its starch is the secret to a glossy, clingy sauce.
Grate Parmesan fresh for the smoothest melt and best flavor.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1½ cups)
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 620
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 115
Keywords: quick dinner, easy recipe, creamy pasta, lemon garlic chicken, weeknight dinner, dinner ideas, pasta, food ideas