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Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli Recipe

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4 from 38 reviews

Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a flavorful, creamy pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, al dente bowtie pasta, and vibrant broccoli florets. Coated in a luscious lemon butter sauce infused with smoked paprika, garlic, and fresh herbs, this dish delivers a perfect balance of zest, spice, and creaminess for an impressive yet easy weeknight dinner.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Pasta

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
  • 2 cups broccoli florets

Seasoning and Sauce

  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust according to spice preference)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 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

Cooking Oils

  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking chicken)
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter (for the sauce)

Garnish

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (to adjust sauce consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
  2. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  4. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add minced garlic (not originally specified but implicit for sautéing) and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in chopped fresh parsley and chives, seasoning carefully with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat well, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and create a creamy texture.
  6. Finish with Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and evenly coats the pasta, chicken, and broccoli. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Serve: Serve the dish warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and an optional squeeze of fresh lemon juice for added brightness.

Notes

  • For a creamier sauce, increase the amount of butter and Parmesan cheese.
  • Use gluten-free pasta if you prefer a gluten-free version of the dish.
  • Toss the pasta mixture quickly when adding sauce to prevent sticking.
  • You can adjust the level of heat by modifying or omitting the crushed red pepper flakes and Cajun seasoning.
  • Fresh garlic is strongly implied in the sauce step even though not listed explicitly; adding 1-2 cloves minced garlic will enhance flavor.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/cowboy-butter-lemon-bowtie-chicken-with-broccoli-recipe/