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You are here: Home / Pasta / Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle

Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle

March 14, 2017 by Marisa 36 Comments

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A hearty pasta dish, Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle. This dish satisfies both the carnivores and vegetable lovers as well as those who need an occasional carbohydrate fix.

Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle

After suffering a nasty bout of the flu in the last few weeks, I must say it feels pretty good to be back with a new recipe.

There was much that I had planned during my winter vacations but nothing revolving around travel plans.

Mostly I just wanted to slow down and focus on my blog and decide where I wanted to take it from here. I had plans to improve my photography and even purchased an online photography class, but alas it stands waiting in the sidelines.

Another area I wanted to improve was my SEO (Search Engine Optimization). If there is anything that dulls my brain more, that would be it. Helpful hints here are very much appreciated!

Also, a couple of months ago I had ordered a copy of “Will Write For Food” by Diane Jacob. A wonderful read with lots of insights and some pretty fun exercises that help sharpen one’s skills.

I eagerly pored through the first chapter before it accidentally slipped out of my hands and into a salted, hot water bath. Next time I’ll make sure to be firmly implanted on my very cozy couch!

I’ll quit rambling now and get on with my recipe!

A serving of pasta with broccoli and chicken on a plate.

My Mother-in-law, My Inspiriation!

My mother-in-law was a wonderful cook and introduced me to this type of simple yet tasty pasta dish. A combination of broccoli florets with either rotini, the corkscrew shaped noodles or penne pasta. Usually tossed together with a quick sauté of garlic in extra virgin olive oil and with a little heat from peperoncini piccanti, red chili pepper. It was love at first bite for me!

I soon came to realize that when broccoli was served this way, my children had no problem devouring this vegetable and it very quickly became a weekly family ritual.

Over the years, I’ve come to modify the recipe with whatever vegetable I had on hand and if I happened to have some chicken breasts just chilling in the freezer, then into the pan they went!

Broccoli and Chicken with pasta served on a white plate.

Prepping Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle

You will appreciate how easily this pasta dish comes together. As the pot of water gradually heats up it allows you enough time for some prep work.

I prefer to cut the chicken breasts into 1 inch pieces but you can also cut them into 1/2 inch strips. Whatever you choose is just fine.

By the time that you’ve prepped the remaining vegetables, the water should be at a boil. As you toss in the pasta, you’re ready to start browning your chicken and adding the veggies for a quick sauté as your pasta cooks.

A few simple steps with some high quality ingredients yields a delicious plateful of Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle!

Buon Appetito 🙂

A forkful of pasta.

Kitchen tip on peeling tomatoes: 

Plunge the tomatoes into a pot of boiling water and leave for about 20 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove the tomatoes from the hot water and run cold water over them. Score an x on the bottom of the tomato and peel back the skin with a knife. The skin will come away effortlessly.

If you make this recipe remember to tag @marisasitaliankitchen on Instagram so I can see your creation!

A serving of pasta with broccoli and chicken on a plate.
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Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle

A hearty and delicious pasta dish, Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle that is simple enough to make for any day of the week.
Course Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 -6
Author Marisa

Ingredients

  • 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts (cut into 1 inch pieces)
  • 1 bunch of broccoli cut into florets
  • 2 large plump tomatoes skinned, seeded and diced
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 plump garlic cloves minced
  • a generous pinch or two of red chili pepper flakes
  • chopped fresh basil I used approximately 2 handfuls
  • salt and pepper
  • 454 grams farfalle pasta
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
  • extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnishing

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil.
  • In the meantime, cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces and set aside.
  • Cut the broccoli into florets, rinse and set aside.
  • Skin the tomatoes, slice in half, remove the seeds and dice into small pieces.
  • When the water is boiling, add the pasta and some salt and cook according to package directions.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the chicken to the skillet and sautè for about 2 minutes, stirring once or twice.
  • Next, stir in the diced tomatoes, chopped onions, minced garlic, chili pepper, basil and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Reduce the heat and let simmer till the pasta is ready.
  • Three minutes before the pasta is ready toss in the broccoli into the pot with the pasta and stir.
  • Once the broccoli and pasta are ready, reserve about a cup of the pasta water.
  • Drain the pasta and broccoli and toss into the skillet with the chicken and tomato, stirring well.
  • If the pasta seems a little dry you can add some of the reserved pasta water.
  • Stir in the Parmigiano Reggiano and drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil.
  • Plate and serve while hot, topped with chopped fresh parsley for garnish and an extra sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Tried this recipe?Mention @marisasitaliankitchen or tag #marisasitaliankitchen!

 

Filed Under: Pasta Tagged With: chicken, Italian, pasta

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankkmuccigrosso

    March 14, 2017 at 10:34 am

    It looks delicious Marisa,beautiful pics! Hope you were able to enjoy it to the most after being sick❤ Stay Well now and keep cooking, my food always makes me feel better?

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 15, 2017 at 12:24 am

      This was a welcome pasta dish after days and days of chicken soup. Thanks so much Karen 🙂

      Reply
  2. blankCheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser

    March 14, 2017 at 10:42 am

    OH YUMMY!!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 15, 2017 at 12:20 am

      Thanks Cheryl, it really is 🙂

      Reply
      • blankCheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser

        March 15, 2017 at 10:31 am

        xx

  3. blankloveofitaliancooking

    March 14, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    Hi Marisa! This sounds fantastic! Great week night meal. ? I’m glad to hear that you are doing better! As for your photography, I think you take beautiful photos! They always look so mouth watering. Have a great day!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 15, 2017 at 12:27 am

      That is very kind of you Rosa…but I feel there is still so much to learn! One day at a time I suppose 🙂

      Reply
  4. blankanotherfoodieblogger

    March 14, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    I’m glad you are feeling better! I love the addition of the chile flakes to this.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 15, 2017 at 12:32 am

      Thanks Kathyrn! I too love chili flakes to a certain extent but it never seems to be spicy enough for hubby…lol 🙂

      Reply
  5. blankJulie is Hostess At Heart

    March 15, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    I can’t tell you how delicioius this recipe looks! I saw it on Instagram and then Foodgawker and can’t wait to try it. Your photography (and recipes) are amazing!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 15, 2017 at 11:50 pm

      Hi Julie thanks so much, so kind of you but really there is just so much to learn when it comes to photography. I must admit though that I am thoroughly enjoying the process. Hope you get to try the recipe, its so simple and so yummy 🙂

      Reply
  6. blankpblevitt

    March 16, 2017 at 9:32 am

    Hope you are back to feeling yourself Marisa. This is exactly the type of dish I look for during the week – simple, delicious, and quick to prepare. Thank you for such a wonderful post, your goals match mine with regard to blogging. Love the photos!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 17, 2017 at 11:18 am

      Hi Paula just a mild lingering cough now, thanks.
      Sometimes I find that publishing a recipe is only 50 percent of the work involved the other 50 percent comes from social media which practically changes on a daily basis which requires us bloggers to be on top of it all. With a full time job it gets somewhat challenging but I truly am enjoying it. Thanks so much for your lovely comment and good luck to you Bella. 🙂

      Reply
  7. blankannika

    March 16, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    First of all, I am glad that you are feeling better now! I am presently fighting off a bad bug as well… and it’s no fun! Secondly, your photography is amazing already! And finally, I know if I show this dish to my son, he’ll be asking that I make it… maybe I will just surprise him!! Thank you for another delicious recipe!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 17, 2017 at 11:24 am

      Hi Annika, there seems to be so many people with bad colds or the flu! Its definitely making the rounds! Get better soon!

      Thanks so much for your kind compliment… I feel that I still have a lot to learn but its fun!! Hope you get to make the recipe and enjoy!! 🙂

      Reply
  8. blankTeresa Blackburn

    March 17, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    I so love an easy recipe that I can put together in little time and with little effort and your farfalle dish is just that. Your photos are great by the way. Thanks for the printable recipe.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 18, 2017 at 12:00 am

      This dish is good old comfort food for my family. Glad to hear you like it and thanks so much Teresa 🙂

      Reply
  9. blankthefoodblognet

    March 17, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    Marisa, I love your photos! I hope you’re feeling better. I know what it’s like to have a ton of expectations on ourselves, and then life can get it the way. It’s a journey, one step at a time. I love this simple recipe, which I also frequently made for my kids, too!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 18, 2017 at 12:22 am

      Yes it is a journey, sometimes a frustrating one but more often times extremely rewarding!
      With such busy schedules quick and simple recipes such as this one always wins the day! Thanks for your comment Colleen 🙂

      Reply
  10. blankSandhya

    March 17, 2017 at 11:57 pm

    Marisa,
    So sorry to hear about the nasty flu. Hope you are feeling better now.
    I love this pasta recipe! And your step by step about getting prep done while the water is boiling etc… is just perfect!
    Fabulous photos!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 18, 2017 at 12:27 am

      Am feeling much better Sandhya, thanks! I’m glad to hear you like the recipe…we enjoy it so much 🙂

      Reply
  11. blankIsabelle Boucher

    March 20, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    This looks like such a perfect weeknight dinner… easy to make, but full of delicious flavours and good-for-you ingredients! Hope you’re feeling better. This year’s flu was a doozy, but maybe an extra pinch or two of hot pepper in the pasta will help clear your sinuses and get you breathing normally again. 😉

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 20, 2017 at 11:29 pm

      Isabelle this sure made me laugh but I must say that you may be on to something because shortly after having this pasta with chilli peppers I immediately started to feel better! But then again pasta is a real comfort food for me. Thanks so much for your comment?

      Reply
  12. blank[email protected]

    March 22, 2017 at 11:28 am

    This is my kind of meal, Marisa! Sorry you haven’t been well! But happy you’re on the mend!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 22, 2017 at 6:45 pm

      Hi Annie, definitely mine as well! We just can’t go wrong with a beautiful and yummy plate of pasta! Being sick is always a bummer…..thanks so much for dropping by?

      Reply
  13. blankLynz Real Cooking

    March 27, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    This looks and sounds so good Marisa! A dish with so much flavor!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 27, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      Thanks Lynn! It’s so quick and easy, we have it quite often and could never get tired of it 🙂

      Reply
      • blankLynz Real Cooking

        March 28, 2017 at 11:08 am

        Yumm I would love this and so would the kids!

      • blankMarisa

        March 28, 2017 at 7:10 pm

        I hope you get to try it some day?

      • blankLynz Real Cooking

        March 28, 2017 at 7:26 pm

        I hope so too

  14. blankAgness of Run Agness Run

    June 1, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    This dish seems so mothwatering, Marisa! I will have to give it a try!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      June 1, 2017 at 11:22 pm

      Thank you, its a family favourite…enjoy!?

      Reply
  15. blankSalma

    May 21, 2019 at 1:04 pm

    Thank you Marisa! Trying this tonight for my 10 year old! I love the idea of tossing the broccoli in the pasta water, it saves me from washing another pot!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      May 21, 2019 at 6:11 pm

      Hi Salma! I’ve always cooked them this way…whether it’s broccoli or rapini and yes less pots to wash! I like to get my chicken nice and caramelized when making this dish. It adds so much flavour…enjoy!

      Reply
  16. blankDianne Jacob

    May 22, 2019 at 9:48 am

    I hope my book dried out! Thanks for the mention.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      May 23, 2019 at 12:37 am

      Hello Diane! Lol…it was a heart stopping moment for sure but I’m happy to say that it has dried up quite well and now I only read while curled up on my couch. Thank you for writing such a wonderful indispensable book and for dropping by in my little corner of the web!

      Reply

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