Parmesan Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Bowties in Garlic Cream Recipe
This Parmesan Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Bowties in Garlic Cream is a rich and creamy pasta dish featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breast combined with roasted red peppers and a velvety garlic cream sauce. Tossed with al dente bowtie pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, this meal offers a flavorful and comforting experience perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying weekend treat.
- Author: Cara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Pasta
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup roasted red peppers (jarred or homemade), sliced
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 oz cream cheese (optional, for added richness)
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Italian or Southern herb blend (such as thyme, oregano, rosemary)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
- Optional: red pepper flakes or balsamic drizzle
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water to adjust the sauce later if needed.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the thinly sliced chicken breast dry and season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken slices in a single layer and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Roasted Red Peppers: Stir in the sliced roasted red peppers and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to deepen their flavor and meld with the garlic butter.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and add the cream cheese if using. Simmer gently while stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheese and Herbs: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the Italian or Southern herb blend. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly and develops a velvety texture.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken along with the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a small splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley or basil. Optionally, sprinkle red pepper flakes or drizzle balsamic vinegar for a bit of extra flavor. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Using thinly sliced chicken breast ensures quick and even cooking.
- The cream cheese is optional but adds extra richness and creaminess to the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce if it thickens too much.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking the sauce.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil brighten the dish and add freshness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Parmesan chicken pasta, garlic cream sauce, roasted red peppers, bowtie pasta recipe, creamy chicken pasta