Description
A quick and refreshing meal featuring tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and bowtie pasta enveloped in a buttery sauce.
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 (for cooking chicken)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (for the sauce)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (to adjust sauce consistency)
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and add the chicken pieces. Season with salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Sauté until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in the butter until melted, then add the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest. Toss everything to coat.
- Add broccoli florets to the skillet and simmer for about 3 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly.
- Incorporate the cooked pasta into the skillet, tossing everything to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until reaching desired consistency.
- Finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, fresh parsley, and chives before serving.
Notes
For added kick, consider adjusting the Cajun seasoning or adding a splash of hot sauce. Use frozen broccoli for less cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 100mg