Description
Parmesan Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Bowties in Garlic Cream is a delightful and creamy pasta dish featuring tender sautéed chicken, roasted red peppers, and a rich garlic cream sauce. Perfectly cooked bowtie pasta is tossed in a velvety sauce made with heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan, finished with fragrant herbs and fresh parsley or basil. This comforting meal is quick to prepare, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz bowtie 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
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
- Season Chicken: Season the thinly sliced chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper evenly on all sides.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 6–7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Roasted Red Peppers: Add the sliced roasted red peppers to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Make Cream Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese if using. Simmer the mixture while stirring frequently until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheese and Herbs: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the herb blend. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes velvety in texture.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together gently to coat well with the creamy sauce.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to loosen and achieve the desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil. Optionally, sprinkle with red pepper flakes or drizzle with balsamic vinegar before serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone or omit it for a lighter sauce.
- Use homemade roasted red peppers for a fresher, more intense flavor.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.