Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
A delightful and easy-to-make dish combining buttery flavors, zesty lemon, tender chicken, and vibrant broccoli in a creamy sauce with bowtie pasta.
Ingrédients
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
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 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
- Start by chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Measure out the pasta and broccoli florets, and zest and juice your lemon.
Cooking
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water just before draining the pasta.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add chopped chicken, seasoning with salt, black pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until cooked through.
- Add broccoli florets to the skillet and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until tender.
- Lower the heat and add unsalted butter, letting it melt. Then stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest. Gradually add reserved pasta water for desired sauce consistency.
- Add drained pasta and toss everything together to coat evenly.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese.
Garnishing and Serving
- Top the dish with freshly chopped parsley and chives just before serving.
- Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Consider customizing with different proteins or veggies based on dietary preferences.