Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli Recipe
This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a flavorful and vibrant skillet dish that combines tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, al dente bowtie pasta, crisp broccoli florets, and a rich, zesty lemon butter sauce. Enhanced with garlic, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cheese, it’s a perfect balance of creamy and tangy notes, ideal for a comforting yet refreshing weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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
Sauce and Herbs
- 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
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 boiling pasta. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and broccoli. Set aside.
- Season and Cook Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Prepare the Lemon Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in fresh parsley and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Together Pasta, Chicken, and Broccoli: Return the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything thoroughly to coat with the lemon butter sauce. Add the reserved pasta water gradually as needed to loosen the sauce and make it creamy. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken warm, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese, additional fresh parsley, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for added brightness.
Notes
- For an extra kick, do not skip the crushed red pepper flakes or adjust the amount based on your preferred spice level.
- Reserve the pasta water carefully—it helps to create a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Fresh herbs like parsley and chives are essential for freshness; dried herbs won’t provide the same bright flavor.
- If Parmesan cheese is not available, Pecorino Romano can be used as an alternative.
Keywords: lemon butter chicken, bowtie pasta recipe, Cajun chicken pasta, broccoli pasta skillet, one pan chicken dinner, creamy lemon pasta
