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Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 107 reviews

This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a vibrant, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, crisp broccoli, and bowtie pasta all tossed in a rich, garlicky lemon butter sauce. Enhanced with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that combines zesty, savory, and slightly spicy flavors in a creamy, comforting dish.

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

Sauce and Garnish

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 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
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta and broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the same pot. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta and broccoli; set them aside.
  2. Season and cook the chicken: In a bowl, combine the 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 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.
  3. Prepare the cowboy butter sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in the chopped parsley and chives, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Combine all components: Return the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything well to coat in the buttery lemon sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to adjust the sauce’s consistency for a silky texture. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
  5. Serve: Serve the pasta warm, topped with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and an extra squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness.

Notes

  • Save some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency—this makes the sauce silky and helps it cling beautifully to the pasta.
  • For added richness, stir in a splash of cream or cream cheese to the sauce before serving.
  • To make the dish spicier, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.

Keywords: Cowboy Butter, Lemon Bowtie Chicken, Broccoli Pasta, Cajun Chicken, Creamy Lemon Sauce, Easy Weeknight Dinner

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