Description
A delicious blend of buttery, zesty, and savory notes, this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli transforms a regular weeknight dinner into something special.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Add the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking, then reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant—about 1 minute. If using crushed red pepper flakes for a kick, add them now along with the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine: Return the cooked chicken, drained pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat in the delicious sauce, using the reserved pasta water to create a creamier texture as needed.
- Finish with Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and everything is well combined.
- Serve it Up: Enjoy warm, topped with more Parmesan, chopped parsley, and chives for that fresh finish.
Notes
Feel free to swap ingredients based on your preferences, and don’t hesitate to add sun-dried tomatoes for an Italian flair!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: cowboy butter, lemon chicken, bowtie pasta, broccoli, weeknight dinner, comfort food