Searching for a quick, comforting, and incredibly flavorful dinner that doesn’t require turning on your oven? Look no further than this delightful Creamy Lemon Feta Chicken Bow Tie Pasta with Broccoli. This exquisite stovetop meal brings together tender chicken, al dente bow tie pasta, and crisp broccoli, all enveloped in a rich, zesty, and utterly satisfying lemon-infused cream sauce. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something homemade and wholesome, without spending hours in the kitchen.

One of the best features of this recipe is its adaptability. It’s a fantastic way to utilize leftover cooked chicken, making dinner prep even faster. If you’re starting from scratch, a quick sauté or grill of chicken breasts while your pasta boils is all it takes to build a truly memorable meal. The bright flavors of lemon and the tangy punch of feta cheese elevate a simple cream sauce into something truly special, making this a dish that will quickly become a family favorite.

Jump to: Why You’ll Love This Recipe | Time Needed | Ingredients | Instructions | Tips | Dietary Adaptations | Serving Suggestions | Recipe Card

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Bow Tie Pasta

This lemon feta chicken pasta isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a culinary hack for busy individuals and families. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your weekly rotation:

• Effortless Weeknight Solution: Designed for minimal fuss, this recipe comes together quickly on the stovetop, saving you time and energy after a long day.
• No Oven Required: Keep your kitchen cool, especially during warmer months, with this completely stovetop-friendly meal.
• Flavorful & Satisfying: The combination of zesty lemon, creamy half-and-half, and salty feta cheese creates a rich yet refreshing sauce that coats every piece of pasta and chicken.
• Versatile & Flexible: Easily use up leftover chicken or quickly cook fresh chicken. The “California blend” vegetables add convenience, but you can swap them for your favorites.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The familiar flavors of chicken and pasta, enhanced by a bright and creamy sauce, appeal to a wide range of palates, making it perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining.
• Customizable: With options for gluten-free and vegetarian diets, this dish can be adapted to suit various needs, ensuring everyone at your table can enjoy it.

Time Needed for This Speedy Pasta Dish

One of the biggest advantages of this chicken and pasta recipe is its incredible speed. You can have a complete, delicious meal on your table in approximately 30 minutes, sometimes even less! This rapid preparation time makes it an ideal candidate for those nights when time is of the essence but you still want a hearty, home-cooked meal.

The key to its quick turnaround lies in multitasking. If you have pre-cooked chicken on hand, you’re already halfway there. Simply warm it through with the sauce. For fresh chicken, you can start grilling or sautéing your boneless chicken breasts right as the water for your bow tie pasta begins to boil. By the time the pasta and frozen vegetables are perfectly cooked, your chicken will be ready to slice and incorporate into the luscious lemony cream sauce. The minimal steps and efficient timing ensure you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying your dinner.

Key Ingredients for This Creamy Lemon Feta Chicken Pasta

This recipe relies on a few simple, accessible ingredients that come together to create a complex and inviting flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need and a few notes on each:

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: Lean, versatile, and quick-cooking. You can use chicken thighs for a richer flavor, or even pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience.
• Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle): Its unique shape holds the creamy sauce beautifully. Feel free to substitute with other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or orecchiette if bow ties aren’t available.
• Frozen California Blend Vegetables: This typically includes broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, and sliced carrots. Using a frozen blend is a fantastic time-saver, adding essential nutrients and color without extra prep work.
• Crumbled Feta Cheese: The star of the sauce, offering a delightful salty tang that pairs wonderfully with lemon and cream. Don’t skip this for its unique Mediterranean flair.
• Lemon-Pepper Seasoning: A convenient blend that provides both citrusy zest and a hint of spice. Adjust to your taste preferences. Fresh lemon zest and cracked black pepper can be used as an alternative for a brighter, more vibrant flavor.
• Butter: Forms the rich base of our creamy sauce, adding depth and a silky texture.
• Half and Half: Creates the indulgent creaminess of the sauce without being overly heavy. For a richer sauce, heavy cream can be used. For a lighter option, milk (whole milk works best) could be substituted, though the sauce might be thinner.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering the balanced, savory, and zesty flavors that define this easy weeknight meal. Freshness and quality of ingredients will always enhance the final outcome.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Delicious Dinner

Creating this flavorful chicken pasta is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal every time:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by seasoning your boneless chicken breasts generously with lemon-pepper seasoning. You can grill, broil, or sauté the chicken until it’s fully cooked through and golden brown. If you’re using leftover cooked chicken, simply cut it into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2. Cook Pasta and Vegetables: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your bow tie pasta and the frozen California blend vegetables to the boiling water. Cook according to the package directions for the pasta, ensuring both are al dente.
3. Slice the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the heat and slice it into strips or dice it into cubes. Set the cooked chicken aside.
4. Drain and Return Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta and vegetables thoroughly, then return them to the same cooking pot. There’s no need to rinse the pasta.
5. Create the Creamy Base: Add the butter to the hot pasta and stir gently until it’s completely melted and coats the pasta. This adds a layer of richness.
6. Add the Half and Half: Pour in the half and half into the pot with the buttered pasta. Turn the stove heat to low.
7. Combine and Heat: Stir in the crumbled feta cheese, the cooked vegetables (if not cooked with pasta), and the sliced chicken. Continue to stir gently over low heat until everything is thoroughly warmed through and the sauce has thickened slightly to your desired consistency. The feta will melt slightly, creating a wonderfully integrated creamy sauce.
8. Serve Immediately: Dish out generous portions and garnish with fresh parsley or extra lemon zest if desired. Enjoy your delicious, homemade meal!

Pro Tips for a Perfect Pasta Dish

Elevate your creamy lemon feta chicken pasta with these expert tips:

• Batch Cook Chicken: If you frequently make chicken dishes, consider cooking a larger batch of chicken breasts at the beginning of the week. This pre-cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator and will shave valuable minutes off your dinner prep for this and other recipes.
• Don’t Overcook Pasta: For the best texture, cook your bow tie pasta to al dente. It will continue to absorb some of the sauce, and you don’t want it to become mushy.
• Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the lemon-pepper seasoning on the chicken. You want that bright flavor to really shine through. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust seasoning if needed. A pinch of salt and extra pepper can make a big difference.
• Fresh Lemon Zest: For an even more vibrant lemon flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to the sauce along with the half and half. The zest contains essential oils that impart a stronger, fresher lemon aroma than just the seasoning.
• Cheese Varieties: While feta is key to this recipe’s character, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a blend of Italian cheeses stirred in at the end can add another layer of savory depth.
• Prevent Sauce from Breaking: Keep the heat on low when adding the half and half and stirring in the cheese. High heat can cause dairy-based sauces to separate or “break,” resulting in a grainy texture. Gentle simmering is best.
• Make Ahead (Partially): You can cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time. Store them separately. When ready to eat, simply combine them with the butter, half and half, feta, and vegetables, and warm gently on the stovetop. This is ideal for meal prepping!
• Use Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, dill, or chives over the finished dish adds a beautiful pop of color and freshness.

Recipe Card: Creamy Lemon Feta Chicken Bow Tie Pasta

Chicken and Feta Bow Tie Pasta

5 from 1 vote

Chicken with bow tie pasta and broccoli in a delicious lemony cream sauce come together in this easy weeknight meal that doesn’t heat up the oven. It’s a good recipe to use leftover chicken if you have it or to quickly sauté or grill it if you are starting from scratch.

Author
Author:

Mary Ann

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Prep Time
10 minutes mins

Cook Time
20 minutes mins

Total Time
30 minutes mins

Course
Main Dish

Cuisine
American

Servings

6
servings

Calories
487

Ingredients

  

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 2 cups bow tie pasta
• 12 ounces frozen California blend vegetables
• 8 ounces crumbled feta cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning, or to taste
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1½ cups half and half

Instructions

• Season 4 boneless chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning and grill or broil until done.
• Meanwhile, cook 2 cups bow tie pasta and 12 ounces frozen California blend vegetables according to package directions.
• When the chicken is done, slice it into strips and set aside.
• Drain pasta and return it to the cooking pot.
• Add 4 tablespoons butter to the pasta and stir gently until melted.
• Add 1½ cups half and half and turn stove on to low heat.
• Stir in 8 ounces crumbled feta cheese, vegetables, and chicken. Heat until everything is hot and the sauce is thickened to your preference.

Notes

Adaptations:

Gluten-free

You can find a variety of gluten-free pastas in most grocery stores, or you could add more vegetables and omit the pasta.

Vegetarian

Like most stovetop pasta meals, it’s easy to omit the chicken from this recipe and balance it out by adding additional vegetables or a can of rinsed and drained cannellini beans.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 487 cal
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Protein: 27 g
Fat: 30 g
Sodium: 589 mg
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 2 g

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More Delicious Pasta Recipes to Explore

If you loved this creamy lemon feta chicken pasta, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of other easy and flavorful pasta recipes that are perfect for any occasion. From hearty meat dishes to light vegetarian options, there’s always something new to discover to satisfy your pasta cravings. Explore more culinary adventures and expand your weeknight dinner repertoire with these fantastic ideas: