Description

This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is a flavorful and comforting one-pan skillet dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, al dente bowtie pasta, fresh broccoli florets, and a rich, zesty lemon butter sauce infused with garlic and herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal that balances savory, spicy, and bright citrus notes.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Seasoning

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

Sauce & Herbs

2 tbsp olive oil
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

Pasta & 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. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets to the boiling pasta. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta and broccoli, then set aside.
Season and Cook Chicken: In a mixing bowl, season the bite-sized 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 the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the 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 but not browned. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in chopped parsley and chives, then season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
Toss Pasta, Broccoli, and Chicken in Sauce: Return the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat with the lemon butter sauce thoroughly. Add reserved pasta water gradually if needed to loosen the sauce and create a creamy texture. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Serve: Serve the dish warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, additional fresh parsley, and an optional squeeze of lemon juice for enhanced brightness.

Notes

You can substitute bowtie pasta with any short pasta like penne or rotini.
Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
Make sure not to overcook the broccoli to keep its vibrant color and texture.
Reserved pasta water helps to create a silky sauce that clings well to the ingredients.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting quality.

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

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, lemon chicken pasta, bowtie pasta recipe, broccoli pasta skillet, Cajun chicken pasta, quick chicken dinner