Description

This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a flavorful and satisfying one-skillet meal featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, al dente bowtie pasta, and vibrant broccoli tossed in a luscious lemon-garlic butter sauce with a hint of spice. Sprinkled with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both easy to prepare and full of bold, comforting flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

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

Butter Sauce

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

Pasta and Vegetables

12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)

Instructions

Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to blanch them. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
Season and Cook Chicken: In a bowl, combine 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 the seasoned chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare Lemon Butter Sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in the chopped parsley and chives, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat well in the lemon butter sauce. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
Serve: Serve the Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken warm, topped with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of additional lemon juice for brightness.

Notes

For extra heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if needed (reduce quantity by half).
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the bowtie pasta with gluten-free pasta.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cowboy butter chicken, lemon chicken pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, chicken and broccoli skillet, easy weeknight dinner, Cajun chicken, creamy lemon sauce