Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle

Name: Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle
Yield: 4 -6
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)

March 14, 2017 by Marisa 32 Comments

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A hearty pasta dish, Broccoli and Chicken Farfalle. You’ll find that a meal such as this one satisfies both the carnivores and vegetable lovers as well as those who need an occasional carbohydrate fix.

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!

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!

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 🙂

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.