Description
A comforting and zesty chicken pasta dish, perfect for easy weeknight dinners, combining protein, veggies, and pasta in a creamy sauce.
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
- Zest and juice 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 more for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Add the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Stir in red pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return the chicken, cooked pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat in the buttery sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired creaminess.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and becomes creamy. Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan, parsley, and chives.
Notes
For variations, consider adding spinach, shrimp, or nuts for extra texture. Prep ingredients ahead to save time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg