Description
A warm, creamy pasta dish with tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a luxuriously buttery sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
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 (adjust according to spice preference)
- 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
- Start by cooking the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and broccoli, then set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the chicken is golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low and add the unsalted butter. Once melted, stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest. Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired, and mix well until combined.
- Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet, along with the cooked chicken. Stir in the reserved pasta water and grated Parmesan cheese, adjusting the sauce consistency as needed. Toss everything together gently until well coated. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and chives.
- Dish up this cozy dinner, topping each plate with extra Parmesan if desired. Enjoy each bite while marveling at the burst of flavors!
Notes
Make ahead by prepping the chicken and sauce a day in advance. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg