Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
A delightful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken, zesty lemon, and vibrant broccoli enveloped in a rich, buttery sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550kcal
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
For the Sauce
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
For Seasoning
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package directions, aiming for al dente.
- In the last three minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets.
Cooking Chicken
- Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for about 6–7 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- Lower the heat; add butter and let it melt completely. Toss in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add optional red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest. Season to taste.
Combining Ingredients
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with drained pasta and broccoli. Toss everything together until well-coated in the sauce.
- Add reserved pasta water if necessary to reach desired consistency.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and let it melt.
Serving
- Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan, parsley, and chives.
Notes
To elevate the dish, consider adding a splash of chicken broth instead of reserved pasta water. For spice lovers, increase red pepper flakes or serve with hot sauce. Experiment with different pasta or veggies for personalized twists.