Description
A creamy and comforting dish featuring bowtie pasta and tender chicken, combined with vibrant broccoli and zesty lemon for a heartwarming meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Remember to reserve half a cup of pasta water before draining!
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Add the chicken to the skillet, cooking until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium, and in the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest, mixing until well combined. If desired, add the crushed red pepper flakes for a touch more heat. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until you have a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta (along with the broccoli) to the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency. Finish with fresh parsley and chives for that pop of freshness!
- Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, alongside a warm loaf of crusty bread.
Notes
This dish is quick to prepare, perfect for weeknights, and can be customized with different proteins or veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg