Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring zesty chicken, broccoli, and buttery bowtie pasta, perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 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 Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) Add for heat
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
For the Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets Can substitute with asparagus, green beans, or frozen peas
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water Important for sauce consistency
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving Freshly grated melts better
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Add broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Lower heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add garlic and cook until fragrant for about a minute.
- Stir in red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss to coat and add reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Turn off the heat and shower with parsley and chives.
Serving
- Serve warm with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs.
- Adjust seasoning with more salt and lemon just before serving.
Notes
For meal prep, this dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. It can be reheated easily with a splash of water. The dish can also be doubled for larger servings.