Description
Zesty lemon garlic chicken dances with creamy bowtie pasta in this Mediterranean-inspired comfort dish. Fragrant herbs and tangy notes create a perfect balance, inviting you to savor each delightful forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 300 g (10 oz) bowtie pasta
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Infuse chicken breasts with a zesty marinade by blending lemon juice, zest, crushed garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper in a mixing vessel.
- Allow chicken to absorb flavors for approximately 15-20 minutes, ensuring maximum taste penetration.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, creating an ideal searing environment.
- Transfer marinated chicken to the heated skillet, cooking each side for 6-7 minutes until achieving a golden exterior and thoroughly cooked interior.
- Remove chicken from skillet and let rest momentarily while preparing subsequent components.
- Simultaneously, bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook bowtie pasta until reaching an al dente texture.
- Drain pasta, reserving a small quantity of cooking liquid for potential sauce adjustment.
- In the identical skillet used for chicken, melt butter and introduce finely chopped onions, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate minced garlic, stirring briefly to release aromatic compounds.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, blending with freshly grated Parmesan and remaining lemon zest.
- Simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and slightly thicken.
- Gently fold cooked bowtie pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is luxuriously coated.
- Slice prepared chicken into elegant strips and arrange atop the creamy pasta.
- Finish the dish by garnishing with delicate fresh parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Marinating Magic: Let chicken soak in lemon-garlic mixture for at least 15 minutes to maximize flavor infusion and tenderize the meat.
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a pleasant texture when mixed with the creamy sauce.
- Sauce Stability: Use room temperature heavy cream to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth, silky sauce consistency.
- 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
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg