Description

A cozy and bright pasta dish featuring buttery lemon garlic flavor, juicy chicken, and broccoli that soaks up the sauce, all while keeping dishwashing to a minimum.

Ingredients

Pasta and Main Ingredients

8 oz Bowtie pasta (farfalle) (This pasta shape holds sauce well.)
1 lb Chicken (breast or thighs) (Cut into bite-sized pieces.)
2 cups Broccoli florets (Fresh or frozen, cooked until tender.)

Sauce Ingredients

4 Tbsp Butter (Adds richness to the sauce.)
3 cloves Garlic, minced (Provides aromatic flavor.)
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard (Adds tanginess to the sauce.)
1 zest Lemon (Use this for bright flavor.)
1 Tbsp Lemon juice (Freshly squeezed.)
1 cup Heavy cream (or half and half) (For a creamy texture.)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (Saltiness and flavor enhancer.)

Seasonings

to taste Salt (For overall seasoning.)
to taste Black pepper (Adds spice.)
1/2 tsp Paprika (For color and mild flavor.)
pinch Chili flakes (Optional, for heat.)

Optional Veggies

1 cup Spinach (Stir in at the end to wilt.)
1 medium Bell pepper, sliced (Adds color and crunch.)
1/4 cup Fresh parsley, chopped (For garnish.)

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Instructions

Cooking the Pasta

Boil a pot of salted water. Cook bowtie pasta until just tender. Add broccoli in the last few minutes if you want to cook it in the same pot. Save 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.

Cooking the Chicken

In a large pan, melt butter and sear the chicken pieces until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.

Making the Sauce

In the same pan, add a bit more butter if needed, then add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Scrape up the browned bits.
Add cream and let it gently bubble for a minute, then add Parmesan and stir until smooth.

Combining

Toss in pasta, broccoli, and chicken. Add a splash of reserved pasta water until it looks glossy and coats everything.
Taste and adjust: more salt, more lemon, or a pinch of chili flakes.

Notes

For best results, don’t rush the sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Options for making a spicy version or veggie-loaded variations are available.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian