why make this recipe

Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a delicious and easy dish that combines tender chicken, pasta, and broccoli in a creamy, buttery sauce with zesty lemon flavors. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. It’s quick to prepare, family-friendly, and packed with flavors that everyone will love.

how to make Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli

Making Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is simple. You’ll start by cooking the pasta and broccoli together, then sauté the chicken before creating a flavorful butter sauce. Finally, you combine everything for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
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
2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking chicken)
6 tbsp unsalted butter (for the sauce)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
1/2 cup reserved pasta water (to adjust sauce consistency)

Directions:

Preparation: Start by cooking the bowtie pasta according to package instructions. In the last two minutes of the cooking time, add the broccoli florets. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
Cooking Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until it’s browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Making the Sauce: In the same skillet, lower the heat and add butter. Once the butter is melted, mix in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
Combining Ingredients: Return the chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli, tossing everything together. Lastly, stir in Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and chives.

how to serve Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli

Serve this dish hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. It pairs well with a simple side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.

how to store Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

tips to make Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli

Adjust the spice level by adding more or less Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes.
For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with chickpeas or tofu.
Make sure not to overcook the broccoli; it should remain bright green and slightly crisp.

variation

You can add other vegetables such as bell peppers, spinach, or peas, depending on your preferences. You can also substitute bowtie pasta for any other pasta type you like.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Just steam it according to package directions before adding it to the dish.

2. What can I serve with this recipe?

This dish pairs well with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or even roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.

3. How can I make it gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check that your Cajun seasoning and other ingredients are gluten-free.

Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli

Print Recipe

A delicious and easy dish that combines tender chicken, pasta, and broccoli in a creamy, buttery sauce with zesty lemon flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner.

Author: lila-monroe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free pasta)

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
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
2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking chicken)
6 tbsp unsalted butter (for the sauce)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
1/2 cup reserved pasta water (to adjust sauce consistency)

Instructions

Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions. In the last two minutes of the cooking time, add the broccoli florets. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, lower the heat and add butter. Once melted, mix in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and optional red pepper flakes. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Return chicken to the skillet, add cooked pasta and broccoli, tossing everything together. Stir in Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and chives.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: chicken, pasta, broccoli, lemon, creamy, weeknight dinner, family-friendly