Tender chicken and crisp broccoli tossed with bowtie pasta in a zesty lemon-garlic cream sauce. Fresh, comforting, and perfectly balanced.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
🔹 Pasta & Protein
- 300–350g bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- Salt & black pepper
🔹 Veggies
- 2 cups broccoli florets
🔹 Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
🔹 Optional
- Chili flakes
- Fresh parsley
🍳 Equipment
- Large pot
- Skillet or pan
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
🔸 Step 1: Cook Pasta & Broccoli
- Boil salted water
- Add pasta and cook until al dente
- In the last 2–3 minutes, add broccoli
- Drain (reserve ½ cup pasta water)
🔸 Step 2: Cook Chicken
- Season chicken with salt & pepper
- Heat olive oil in skillet
- Cook chicken until golden and cooked through (5–7 minutes)
- Remove and set aside
🔸 Step 3: Make Sauce
- In same pan, sauté garlic (30 seconds)
- Add chicken broth and simmer 2–3 minutes
- Stir in cream, lemon juice, and zest
- Simmer gently
🔸 Step 4: Add Cheese
- Stir in parmesan until smooth
🔸 Step 5: Combine
- Return chicken to pan
- Add pasta and broccoli
- Toss everything together
👉 Add reserved pasta water if needed
🔸 Step 6: Serve
- Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Serve with garlic bread 🧄
- Pair with fresh salad 🥗
- Add roasted veggies
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Don’t overcook broccoli—keep it bright green
✔ Use fresh lemon for best flavor
✔ Reserve pasta water for silky sauce
✔ Cook chicken in batches if needed
🔄 Variations
🧀 Extra Creamy
Add cream cheese
🌶️ Spicy
Add chili flakes
🥬 Veggie Boost
Add spinach or peas
🍤 Seafood Swap
Use shrimp instead of chicken
❓ FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes—add directly to boiling water.
Why is my sauce too thin?
Simmer longer or add more cheese.
Can I make it lighter?
Use milk instead of cream.
⚖️ Approx. Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~450–550
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbs: ~45g
- Fat: ~18g