Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli Bliss Recipe
This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli Bliss is a delightful one-pan meal combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and al dente bowtie pasta tossed in a rich lemon butter sauce. The dish balances savory, zesty, and slightly smoky flavors, coming together quickly for a satisfying and wholesome dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed (boneless, skinless)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Pasta
- 2 cups bowtie pasta
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted in the skillet)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 unit lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather and prep all ingredients, cube the chicken breasts, mince the garlic, zest and juice the lemon, and chop parsley if using.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the bowtie pasta in salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Melt Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter until fully liquid and hot but not browned.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Chicken: Add the cubed chicken breast to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Broccoli: Stir in the broccoli florets and continue sautéing until the broccoli is tender yet crisp, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Season: Add lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Combine Pasta: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the pasta with the lemon butter sauce and mix well with chicken and broccoli.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for a vibrant citrus flavor.
- Adjust the amount of paprika to your heat preference; smoked paprika adds a nice depth.
- Fresh broccoli gives the best texture, but frozen works well if thawed properly.
- Butter adds richness; for a lighter version, substitute half with olive oil.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushiness when tossed with the sauce.
- Garnish with parsley to add color and freshness to the dish.
Keywords: bowtie pasta, chicken dinner, lemon butter sauce, broccoli, quick skillet meal, easy weeknight dinner
