Description
A delightful dish combining juicy chicken, al dente bowtie pasta, and vibrant broccoli, all enveloped in a zesty butter sauce with lemon and Cajun seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 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
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. In the last 3 minutes, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, drain pasta and broccoli.
- Season chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 6-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest. Mix in parsley and chives, seasoning with additional salt and pepper.
- Return cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce, adding reserved pasta water until well combined. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until creamy.
- Serve warm, topping with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs, with a squeeze of lemon for additional flavor.
Notes
For best results, do not overcrowd the skillet when cooking chicken. Use reserved pasta water to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg