why make this recipe
Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a delicious and hearty meal that combines tender chicken, flavorful pasta, and vibrant broccoli in a creamy sauce. This recipe is perfect for a family dinner or when you have friends over. It’s quick to prepare, loaded with flavor, and has a nice zing from the lemon. Plus, it’s a great way to add some veggies to your plate!
how to make Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (Adjust according to spice preference)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- 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)
Directions:
Preparation: Start by gathering all ingredients. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set aside. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions. During the last two minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Cooking Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low. Add the butter, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until the butter has melted. Add the cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Mix well.
Combining Ingredients: To adjust the sauce’s consistency, slowly add reserved pasta water as needed. Stir in Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, and chives. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
how to serve Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
Serve this dish warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired. It pairs well with a side salad or some crusty bread to soak up the buttery sauce.
how to store Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm in a skillet or microwave until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or another dash of lemon juice to keep it from drying out.
tips to make Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or use more crushed red pepper flakes.
- Feel free to add other veggies like bell peppers or snap peas for extra color and nutrients.
- If you want a creamier sauce, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or using more butter.
variation
You can swap out the chicken for shrimp or even sliced steak if you prefer. The cooking time may vary, so be sure to adjust accordingly.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance. Just combine everything right before serving.
Q: Is this dish gluten-free?
A: To make it gluten-free, you can substitute the bowtie pasta with a gluten-free pasta alternative.
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli?
A: Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Just add it to the pasta during the last few minutes of cooking, similar to fresh broccoli.
Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning Adjust according to spice preference
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt to taste Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste 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
Preparation
- Gather all ingredients. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions. During the last two minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot.
- Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Cooking Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low. Add the butter, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until the butter has melted.
- Add the cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Mix well.
Combining Ingredients
- To adjust the sauce's consistency, slowly add reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, and chives. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.