A bold, comforting weeknight dinner with rich butter, bright lemon, and a spicy Cajun kick, featuring tender chicken and bowtie pasta in a creamy garlic sauce.
Author:emma-brooks
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Skillet
Cuisine:American
Diet:None
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
½ cup reserved pasta water
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and toss with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure all pieces are evenly coated.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; once melted, add the 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and the juice of 1 lemon, stirring to combine.
Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and 1 tablespoon chopped chives. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to coat in the sauce. Gradually add the reserved ½ cup pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy, and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan, a sprinkle of parsley, or an extra pinch of Cajun seasoning for heat. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Reserve pasta water before draining to create a silky sauce. Adjust seasonings to taste.