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Zesty Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli That Will Brighten Your Dinner - Featured Image

Zesty Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli That Will Brighten Your Dinner

Learn how to make delicious Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 8 ounces bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets (about 3 cups)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk (substitute with almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but highly recommended)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente (usually 10-12 minutes). During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the same pot. Drain pasta and broccoli together, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoned lightly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chicken broth and half-and-half, stirring to combine. Let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  4. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the sauce, then stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  5. Return the cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat well with the lemony sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  6. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

  • Author: Jenny
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Keywords: Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli, recipe, cooking, food