
Air-Fryer Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Bowtie Pasta is a very tasty dish. It is liked by almost everyone in the family. It is made with heavy cream, bowtie pasta, butter, chicken, garlic, parmesan cheese, olive oil, onions, mozzarella cheese, and seasonings. We don’t have to make efforts in obtaining these items from the grocery stores. This pasta dish prepares fast in thirty-five minutes, which makes it impeccable for a fast meal. It contains cheese and cream, so it is not good for a dairy-free diet; use vegan cheese and coconut cream for this purpose. Serve this pasta with Italian sausage, grilled shrimp, or salmon. This dish stores properly, so it’s perfect to prepare in advance.
STATS:
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Prep time: Fifteen minutes
- Serving size: 1½ cups
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: Italy-inspired
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Course: Main Course
- Diet: High-Protein
- Serving: 4
EQUIPMENT:
- Large pot
- Wooden spoon
- Colander
- Mixing bowls
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Air fryer
INGREDIENTS:
- Two cups bowtie pasta
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- Two chicken breasts
- One tbsp. olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper
- One cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
INGREDIENT NOTES:
BOWTIE PASTA:
- It has the ridge foundation and pinched middle so it embraces the sauce properly. Prepare it as directed on the package; it should be lightly firm. Use the whole wheat bowtie pasta for the additional fiber content, and it also provides the texture.
CHICKEN BREAST:
- It is best to use the chicken breast as it cooks quickly and contains less fat content. Make equal-sized slices of chicken so they cook in the same time. Chicken thighs are also a great substitute as they are juicier.
BROCCOLI:
- It is best to use the fresh broccoli florets to add texture and nutrients. It also adds color to the dish. Use small-sized florets as they cook more quickly and mix equally in the spaghetti. Use the frozen broccoli florets if required.
OLIVE OIL:
- It helps to coat the seasoning on the chicken and to cook them in the air fryer without getting sticky. It will add a light, rich taste and also boost the taste.
GARLIC & ONION POWDER:
- They help to add a savory and mildly sweet taste to the dish without the addition of moisture. It will also balance the taste of the dish and doesn’t provide the texture.
PAPRIKA POWDER:
- It will add a light, warm, and smoky taste in chicken. It is best to utilize the sweet paprika to provide the balance in the taste profile. Use the smoked paprika instead to provide the deep smoky flavor.
HEAVY CREAM:
- It is best to form an indulgent and smooth sauce. It doesn’t let the sauce curdle. You can also mix half the quantity of milk with the cream for a light flavor but it makes the sauce thin.
PARMESAN & MOZZARELLA CHEESE:
- It is best to use the combination of both cheeses to make this pasta. Parmesan cheese provides the nutty taste and thickens the consistency of the sauce. While the mozzarella cheese adds the creaminess and gooey texture, and it melts well in the sauce.
GARLIC:
- Use fresh to add deep flavor & aroma in sauce. Toss it in the butter to add more flavor to it.
BUTTER:
- It is added to boost the rich taste of this creamy sauce and aids in cooking the garlic. It helps to provide the silky consistency which blends well with the cheese. It is best to use the no-salt-containing butter, so we add the salt as we like.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- First, boil the bowtie pasta as it is written on the box and reserve a quarter cup of pasta water.
- When it is done, strain the pasta and put it in the corner.
- Then warm the air fryer to 190 °C.
- Include the olive oil & seasoning in chicken in the vessel and mix well.
- Put the chicken in the basket in one layer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, and shake them in between till it gets cooked well.
- After that include florets of broccoli in end & cook for 4 minutes.
- Grab a big pot and liquefy the butter on the moderate flame.
- Then add the garlic and toss for one minute till we get nice aroma.
- Add the heavy cream and mix softly.
- Add the parmesan and mozzarella cheese shreds and cook till they melt and smooth.
- Then add the reserved pasta water to form the right consistency of the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and broccoli to the sauce and mix gently to coat them.
- Cook for 2 minutes on low flame and serve with parmesan on top.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
SALADS:
- Caesar Salad
- Garden Salad
- Greek Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
BREAD SIDES:
- Garlic Bread
- Cheesy Breadsticks
- Herb Focaccia
- Dinner Rolls
VEGETABLE SIDES:
- Roasted Asparagus
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Garlic Green Beans
PROTEIN ADD-ONS:
- Grilled Shrimp
- Italian Sausage
- Crispy Turkey Bacon
- Lemon Herb Salmon
TOPPINGS:
- Lemon Zest
- Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Parsley
- Chili flakes
SOUPS:
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Creamy Mushroom Soup
- Chicken Vegetable Soup
DRINKS:
- Lemon Iced Tea
- Sparkling Water
- White Grape Juice
- Fruit Smoothie
DESSERT:
- Tiramisu
- Vanilla Panna Cotta
- Chocolate Mousse
- Berry Cheesecake
TIPS:
- Don’t add lots of chicken to the basket, as it doesn’t cook well.
- It is best to grate the cheese freshly to provide a smooth consistency.
- Add the reserved pasta water to maintain the consistency in the end to provide more flavor.
- Include the peas or spinach to provide more taste and color.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
Add the leftover dish to a tight vessel.
FRIDGE:
- Store it for 4 days.
FREEZER:
- Freeze the pasta for 2 months.
FAQs:
Will I utilize frozen broccoli florets?
- Yes, we can use frozen broccoli florets; defrost them and strain the additional water before adding them to the air fryer.
How to make the light dish?
- Use half milk and half cream, and decrease the quantity of the cheese to make the pasta light.
Can we use another variety of pasta?
- Yes, use rotini, shells, fusilli, or penne instead of bowties to make this dish.
How to make the pasta spicy?
- Use chili flakes or cayenne pepper to make the spicy pasta.
How to avoid thickening the sauce consistency?
- You can add reserved pasta water to avoid thickening the sauce consistency.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 485 kcal
Net carbs: 32 g
Iron: 2.1 g
Total carbs: 35 g
Vitamin A: 0.3 g
Fiber: 3 g
Calcium: 0.35 g
Protein: 34 g
Serving size: 1½ cups
Sodium: 0.68 g
Serving: 4
Potassium: 0.52 g