Lemon garlic bowtie chicken with broccoli tosses seared chicken and tender-crisp broccoli with bowtie pasta in a fresh lemon-garlic pan sauce, ready in about 30 minutes. Building the sauce with lemon juice, broth, and olive oil simmered together briefly, rather than a cream base, keeps the dish light while still coating the pasta.
Lemon Garlic Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
Ingredients
- For the Pasta:
- 250 g bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- For the Chicken:
- 400 g chicken breast (cubed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- For the Veggies:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- For the Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional:
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- Chili flakes
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions and drain.
- Steam or boil broccoli until tender-crisp.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and cook chicken until golden and fully cooked.
- Add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Pour in lemon juice, chicken broth, and olive oil.
- Season with salt and pepper and let simmer for a few minutes.
- Add cooked pasta and broccoli, then toss everything together.
- Optional: sprinkle Parmesan, chili flakes, and parsley.
- Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor.
- Do not overcook broccoli to keep it vibrant.
- Add more broth for a lighter sauce.
- Perfect for a quick healthy dinner.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 serving
- Calories
- 420
- Sugar
- 3 g
- Sodium
- 420 mg
- Fat
- 14 g
- Saturated Fat
- 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat
- 9 g
- Trans Fat
- 0 g
- Carbohydrates
- 42 g
- Fiber
- 4 g
- Protein
- 34 g
- Cholesterol
- 85 mg
Why you'll love this
- Steaming or boiling the broccoli separately from the chicken, rather than adding it raw to the sauce, ensures it's already tender-crisp by the time everything is tossed together at the end.
- Simmering the lemon juice, broth, and oil for a few minutes after the garlic is fragrant lets the sauce reduce slightly, giving it enough body to actually coat the pasta rather than pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
Tips for the best result
- Use fresh lemon juice, as the recipe's own notes specify, for the best flavor rather than bottled juice, which loses brightness over time.
- Don't overcook the broccoli, per the recipe's own notes, so it keeps its vibrant color and some bite against the pasta.
Troubleshooting
The sauce is too thin to coat the pasta.
Let it simmer a minute or two longer after adding the lemon juice, broth, and oil, so it reduces slightly before the pasta and broccoli are tossed in.
The broccoli turned dull and mushy.
This means it was steamed or boiled too long before adding. Cook it only until tender-crisp, per the recipe's own notes, since it will warm through further once tossed with the hot pasta and sauce.
Sauce is too thin.
mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in while simmering.
Store covered in the refrigerator; reheat gently, adding a splash of broth for a lighter version next time if the sauce felt too thin.
The recipe's own notes suggest Parmesan, chili flakes, and fresh parsley as garnishes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use different pasta shapes for Lemon Garlic Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli?
Absolutely! Penne, rotini, or orecchiette work wonderfully. Just adjust cooking time according to package instructions and ensure the pasta can hold the sauce well.
How do I prevent the chicken from becoming dry?
Don’t overcook it! Sear until golden (about 3-4 minutes per side), then let it finish cooking in the sauce. Using chicken thighs instead of breasts also helps maintain moisture.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the chicken with chickpeas, white beans, or plant-based chicken alternatives. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for the base.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely. It reheats beautifully and flavors develop overnight. Store in portioned containers for quick lunches throughout the week.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Microwave with a splash of broth or water, covered, in 30-second intervals. Alternatively, reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally.
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