Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
Tender golden chicken, bowtie pasta, and broccoli are tossed in a rich cowboy butter sauce flavored with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, herbs, and Parmesan for a comforting, flavorful dinner.
Equipment
- large pot
- large skillet
- colander
- wooden spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions. During the last 2–3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, and thyme.
- Add the drained pasta and broccoli directly into the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Toss once more until everything is well combined and glossy. Serve warm.
Notes
Adding the broccoli during the last 2–3 minutes of pasta cooking is an easy shortcut that keeps cleanup simple. Toss the pasta and broccoli directly into the skillet so they absorb the flavorful cowboy butter sauce. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.