Description
A quick and comforting weeknight dish featuring tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and broccoli, all coated in a rich, buttery lemon sauce.
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
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and 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
- Prepare the Pasta and Broccoli: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions, adding the broccoli florets in the last 3 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken, seasoning with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sauté until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to low, then add butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency. Stir in Parmesan cheese, parsley, and chives.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli, garnishing with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu or white beans. Adjust spices according to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg