Description
Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a flavorful one-skillet dish featuring tender Cajun-spiced chicken, perfectly cooked bowtie pasta, and vibrant broccoli, all tossed in a rich, buttery lemon sauce with garlic and fresh herbs. This recipe combines creamy Parmesan cheese and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, making it a comforting yet bright meal ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Butter Sauce
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Once cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
- Season and Cook Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in the chopped parsley and chives, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken back to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency and make it silky. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Serve: Serve the dish warm, topped with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness.
Notes
- Save some pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency; it helps create a silky texture and helps the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- For extra richness, add a splash of cream or cream cheese during the sauce step.
- To increase spiciness, add more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the butter sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of water or broth to restore moisture.
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, lemon chicken pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, Cajun chicken, creamy lemon pasta, broccoli pasta skillet