Best Parmesan Roasted Red Pepper Chicken for Cozy Nights Recipe
This Best Parmesan Roasted Red Pepper Chicken features tender, golden-brown chicken tossed in a luscious, creamy Parmesan and roasted red pepper sauce, served over perfectly cooked bowtie pasta. It’s a cozy, comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, blending rich flavors with easy preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (Substitution: Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version)
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced thinly for even cooking
- Salt & 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)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 oz cream cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Italian or Southern herb blend
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Red pepper flakes or balsamic drizzle (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sear Chicken: While pasta cooks, slice chicken thinly. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet, season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then cook for 6–7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in roasted red peppers and let warm through.
- Make Cream Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and add cream cheese. Stir over medium heat until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
- Add Cheese and Herbs: Sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese and Italian herb blend. Stir gently until cheese melts and sauce thickens, coating the pan evenly.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return cooked chicken to the skillet, add drained pasta, and toss to coat everything in the creamy sauce. If too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the pasta and chicken mixture, garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and optionally sprinkle red pepper flakes or drizzle balsamic. Serve immediately for maximum flavor and comfort.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- Slicing chicken thinly helps it cook more evenly and quickly.
- If cream cheese is omitted, sauce may be less rich but still delicious.
- Reserved pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Fresh herbs brighten up the dish and add a pop of color.
- Adjust red pepper flakes or balsamic to taste for heat or tanginess.
Keywords: Parmesan chicken, roasted red pepper, creamy chicken pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, easy dinner, stovetop chicken dish
