Description
Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a quick and flavorful pasta dish that combines tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and bowtie pasta in a rich, buttery lemon sauce. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 cups bowtie pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Drain together and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to create the cowboy butter sauce.
- Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is fully cooked and lightly golden.
- Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the sauce and heat through.
- Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese (if using), and serve immediately.
Notes
- Swap chicken with shrimp for a seafood version.
- Omit chicken and add extra veggies for a vegetarian option.
- Add 1/4 cup cooking cream for a creamier sauce.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- Fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor, but bottled works in a pinch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
