Description

Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a vibrant and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, perfectly cooked bowtie pasta, and fresh broccoli tossed in a luscious lemon butter sauce with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. This comforting meal balances zesty citrus and savory spices for a delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil

Lemon Butter Sauce

6 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
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
Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta and Vegetables

12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)

Instructions

Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets to the boiling water. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
Season and Cook Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare Lemon Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add chopped parsley and chives, and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss Ingredients Together: Return the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet with the lemon butter sauce. Toss everything to combine and coat evenly. Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce as needed. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Serve: Plate the pasta and chicken mixture while warm. Top with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and an optional squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

To make the dish milder, omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
Fresh herbs add the best flavor, but dried can be used in a pinch.
Reserve pasta water helps create a silky sauce by incorporating starch.
Adjust the Cajun seasoning amount to control spice level.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon butter chicken, bowtie pasta recipe, cajun chicken, broccoli pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one-pan chicken pasta