Go Back
Delicious lemon garlic chicken served with creamy bowtie pasta

Lemon Garlic Chicken with Creamy Bowtie Pasta

This dish brings bright lemon and garlic flavor to tender chicken and a rich, creamy pasta sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a simple weekend supper.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips Use thighs for a richer flavor.
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 piece Zest of 1 lemon
  • 0.5 piece Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta
  • 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
For the Creamy Sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 3 oz cream cheese, softened Use room-temperature for smoother melting.
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella (optional) For added creaminess.
  • 0.5 cup reserved pasta water (if needed) Helps adjust sauce consistency.
For Garnish
  • Fresh parsley For garnish.
  • Extra Parmesan For garnish.
  • Lemon slices For garnish.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chicken and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  3. Stir in garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss to coat, then remove chicken and set aside.
Making the Creamy Garlic Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  2. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring gently.
  3. Whisk in cream cheese until smooth. Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
Combining
  1. Add cooked bowtie pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
  2. Return lemon garlic chicken to the skillet and gently mix.
  3. Add pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
Serving
  1. Plate the pasta warm, garnish with parsley, extra Parmesan, and a light squeeze of fresh lemon if desired.

Notes

Dry chicken strips with a paper towel before seasoning for a nice brown color. Save the pasta water; it helps the sauce cling to the pasta. Taste and adjust salt and lemon at the end.