Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
A delightful dish combining vibrant flavors with a creamy butter sauce, fresh lemon, and nutritious broccoli, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
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
- Black pepper to taste
- 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 boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it’s boiling, add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Cooking Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces.
- Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
- Once melted, stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest. Allow the sauce to simmer for a couple of minutes, then mix in the grated Parmesan cheese. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Combining Ingredients
- Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta with broccoli back to the skillet. Toss everything together so that it is coated in the sauce.
- Stir in the fresh parsley and chives to add a pop of color and flavor.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your taste. Make it a complete meal by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. If you don’t have chicken breasts, any boneless chicken parts work well. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of pasta water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
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