Description

Indulge in the zesty and savory Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken, featuring tender seasoned chicken breasts cooked to perfection and tossed with bowtie pasta, fresh broccoli florets, and a luscious lemon butter sauce infused with garlic, Cajun spices, and Parmesan cheese. This quick stovetop meal is bursting with flavor and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoon olive oil

Butter Sauce

6 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

Pasta and Vegetables

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

Instructions

Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Begin by cooking the bowtie pasta according to package instructions. When there are 2-3 minutes remaining, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta. Drain everything together and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before setting the pasta and broccoli aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breast with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook the sauce for another 1-2 minutes, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and broccoli, then toss to combine. Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring until the sauce coats the pasta and chicken evenly.
Finish and Serve: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese along with the chopped parsley and chives. Serve the dish hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired, to enjoy a creamy and flavorful meal.

Notes

For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your preference.
You can substitute bowtie pasta with penne or rotini if preferred.
Make sure not to overcook the broccoli to keep it crisp and vibrant in color.
Reserve some extra pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.

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

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken, Lemon Bowtie Pasta, Cajun Chicken Recipe, Skillet Chicken Dinner, Quick Pasta Recipe