Description
Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken and Broccoli is a rich, zesty, and comforting pasta dinner made with Cajun-seasoned chicken, tender bowtie pasta, crisp broccoli, Parmesan cheese, and a glossy lemon garlic butter sauce.
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
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 12 oz bowtie pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente.
- During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets to the pasta water.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
- Season chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Add parsley and chives, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Return pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet.
- Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce becomes glossy and coats the pasta.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until creamy and well combined.
- Serve warm with extra Parmesan, fresh parsley, and an optional squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining because it helps the butter sauce become silky and cling to the pasta.
- For extra richness, stir in a splash of cream or a spoonful of cream cheese.
- For more heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Do not overcook the broccoli; it should stay bright green and slightly crisp.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat with a splash of water, broth, or reserved pasta water to restore the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg