Jump to Recipe Print RecipeAs the sizzling sounds of chicken hitting a hot skillet fill my kitchen, I can’t help but smile. There’s something magical about a dish that marries hearty protein and vibrant veggies, especially when it’s all cooked in one pan. My Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is exactly that—a harmonious blend of juicy chicken, delightful bowtie pasta, and crisp broccoli, drizzled with a zesty cowboy butter sauce. This comforting, quick weeknight dinner not only delivers on flavor but also keeps clean-up a breeze. With just a single skillet required, you’re left with more time to unwind or share stories over dinner. Curious about how to whip up this vibrant dish that transforms hectic evenings into culinary triumphs? Let’s dive into the recipe! Why is this one-pan dish a must-try? Simplicity at Its Finest: This one-pan Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken recipe ensures minimal cleanup while delivering maximum flavor. Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with chicken, broccoli, and bowtie pasta, it offers a well-rounded meal that the whole family will love. Hearty Comfort: The creamy, zesty sauce elevates this dish from simple to sublime, making it a go-to for busy weeknights. Customizable Options: Feel free to swap in different veggies or proteins, like shrimp, for a delightful twist! Check out my Garlic Butter Chicken for another quick and tasty option. Time-Saving: It comes together in under 30 minutes, turning your frantic dinner prep into a stress-free experience! Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Ingredients • What you need to create this dish: For the Chicken Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – The star protein in your Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken; juicy and tender when cooked right. Cajun Seasoning – Adds a delightful spicy kick; adjust according to your heat preference. Garlic Powder – Enhances the overall flavor profile beautifully. Smoked Paprika – Provides a depth of flavor that complements the dish perfectly. Salt & Pepper – Essential for balancing flavors; don’t skip them! For the Pasta & Veggies Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle) – Acts as the base for this dish, offering fun shapes and great texture. Can be replaced with other short pasta like penne for variety. Broccoli Florets – Brings color, crunch, and important nutrients; you can swap these for cauliflower or green beans if desired. For the Sauce Butter – Creates the rich base of the Cowboy Butter sauce; substitute with olive oil for a lighter option. Garlic – Freshly minced for a robust aroma and flavor. Dijon Mustard – Introduces a tanginess that pairs beautifully with lemon. Lemon Juice & Zest – Brightens the sauce with acidity, ensuring every bite is lively. For Finishing Touches Parmesan Cheese – Adds creaminess and a rich flavor finish; nutritional yeast can be a great dairy-free alternative. Chopped Parsley & Chives – Fresh herbs that elevate the final dish with vibrant flavor and garnish. With these ingredients, you’re set to craft a mouthwatering Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken that’s sure to impress—and remember, the joy is in adding your own touch! Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Step 1: Cook Pasta & Broccoli Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, stir in the broccoli florets for vibrant color and nutrition. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli, and be sure to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water for the sauce. Step 2: Cook Chicken In a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and no longer pink in the center. Once fully cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest while you prepare the sauce. Step 3: Prepare Sauce In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt 4 tablespoons of butter until bubbly. Add minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, creating a flavorful cowboy butter sauce. Step 4: Combine Return the chicken to the skillet, incorporating the cooked bowtie pasta and broccoli. Toss everything together until well coated with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve your desired consistency. The Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken should now be vibrant and glistening, with pasta enveloped in that rich sauce. Step 5: Finish To enhance this delicious dish, stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with chopped parsley and chives for a fresh touch. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan if desired. Each bite should deliver the comforting flavors of your Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli, perfect for a delightful family meal. Expert Tips for Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Choosing Chicken Wisely: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for juiciness. Avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve a nice golden-brown sear. Perfect Pasta & Broccoli: Cook bowtie pasta and broccoli just until al dente. This ensures great texture, balancing tenderness with a little crunch. Flavor Measurement: When using Cajun seasoning, start with a moderate amount and adjust as needed. This keeps the dish enjoyable for everyone, no matter their spice tolerance. Sauce Consistency: Gradually add reserved pasta water when combining ingredients. This step is key to getting the sauce just right, ensuring it coats the Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken evenly. Fresh Herbs Matter: Don’t skip on the chopped parsley and chives! They add a pop of flavor and color that elevates this wonderful dish to a whole new level. What to Serve with Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Fill your table with delightful pairings that elevate your meal to another level of comfort and coziness. Light Salad: A simple greens salad with lemon vinaigrette adds a refreshing crunch, balancing the richness of the chicken dish beautifully. Garlic Bread: Warm, buttery garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful cowboy butter sauce, making every bite even more enjoyable. Roasted Vegetables: Seasoned and roasted seasonal veggies bring a caramelized sweetness that perfectly complements the savory notes of the Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken. Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Soft and fluffy mashed potatoes provide a delightful contrast in texture, enriching the experience of your meal. Fresh Fruit Salad: A vibrant medley of fresh fruits offers a sweet counterpoint to the savory dish, making your meal feel light and breezy. White Wine: A chilled glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc enhances the flavors in the dish, adding a touch of sophistication to your dinner. Chocolate Mousse: End the meal on a sweet note with a rich and airy chocolate mousse, offering a luxurious finish that everyone will love. Make Ahead Options These Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken dishes are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts! You can cook the chicken and prepare the cowboy butter sauce up to 3 days in advance. Just make sure to refrigerate the cooked chicken in an airtight container to maintain its juiciness. Additionally, you can chop the broccoli and measure out the pasta ahead of time, storing them in the fridge until you’re ready to use them. When it’s time to serve, simply reheat the chicken and sauce in a skillet, then combine with freshly cooked pasta and broccoli, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to refresh the sauce. This way, you’ll enjoy a delicious, hassle-free meal with minimum effort on busy weeknights! How to Store and Freeze Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make sure the dish has cooled before sealing to maintain freshness. Freezer: This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Divide into serving portions, wrap well, and place in freezer-safe containers. Reheating: When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, or in the microwave until warmed through. General Tip: To preserve the flavors, avoid freezing if you plan to eat the leftovers within a few days; it’s best enjoyed fresh! Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Variations Feel inspired to add your own twist to this delightful dish, letting your flavor imagination run wild! Zucchini Noodles: Swap bowtie pasta for spiralized zucchini for a low-carb, veggie-packed delight. You’ll enjoy a fresh, light twist! Colorful Veggie Medley: Add bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas for an eye-catching presentation and an extra boost of nutrition with varied textures. Seafood Twist: Substitute cooked shrimp or scallops instead of chicken for a quick and delicious seafood variation that’s sure to impress! Spicy Kick: Increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add sliced jalapeños to spice things up—perfect for heat lovers! Creamy Vegan Version: Substitute butter with vegan butter and toss in some cashew cream for a dairy-free creamy sauce that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Herbed Varieties: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or dill instead of parsley and chives for a new aromatic profile that sings spring! Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken: Enhance the lemoniness by doubling the zest and juice, intensifying the sauce for a bright, citrusy finish! For more delicious chicken recipes, kick it up a notch by exploring my Garlic Butter Chicken and Peanut Butter Chicken Stir-Fry for ideas that keep your weeknight meals fresh and fantastic! Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Recipe FAQs What type of chicken should I use for this recipe? Absolutely! I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the best texture and juiciness. If you desire a richer flavor, boneless chicken thighs can be a great alternative. Just make sure to check they are fully cooked through before serving, as thigh meat tends to take a few extra minutes. How do I store leftovers? Very simply! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure the dish has cooled completely before sealing it to help maintain its freshness and flavor. Can I freeze Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken? Yes, you can! To freeze, divide the dish into meal-sized portions. Wrap each portion securely in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe container. This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. What if my sauce is too thick? No worries! If you find the sauce is too thick for your liking, you can gradually add a bit of the reserved pasta water during the combine step. This will help you achieve the desired consistency. Just keep adding a little at a time until it’s perfectly saucy and coats everything beautifully. Are there any dietary considerations for this recipe? Absolutely! This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken recipe can easily be customized to suit dietary restrictions. For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with vegan butter and the Parmesan with nutritional yeast. If anyone in your family has a gluten sensitivity, use gluten-free pasta. Always check seasonings for any hidden allergens, especially if you’re using pre-mixed Cajun seasonings. What can I serve with this dish? To create a complete meal, consider pairing this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with a light salad or some crusty bread to soak up that delightful sauce. It’s a fantastic way to balance the flavors while adding a fresh crunch! Delicious Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken in One Pan Savor the delicious Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli, a one-pan recipe that's quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 minutes minsCook Time 20 minutes minsTotal Time 30 minutes mins Servings: 4 servingsCourse: ChickenCuisine: AmericanCalories: 450 Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes Ingredients 1x2x3x? For the Chicken1 pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning adjust according to heat preference1 teaspoon Garlic Powder1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika1 teaspoon Salt1/2 teaspoon PepperFor the Pasta & Veggies8 ounces Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle) can be replaced with other short pasta2 cups Broccoli Florets can swap for cauliflower or green beansFor the Sauce4 tablespoons Butter or olive oil for a lighter option3 cloves Garlic minced1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard2 tablespoons Lemon Juice1 tablespoon Lemon ZestFor Finishing Touches1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese or nutritional yeast for dairy-free2 tablespoons Chopped Parsley2 tablespoons Chives Equipment Large potLarge skillet Method Step‑By‑Step InstructionsBring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, stir in the broccoli florets. Once cooked, drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.In a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and no longer pink. Remove and let it rest.In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt 4 tablespoons of butter until bubbly. Add garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, sauté for 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest, cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning.Return chicken to the skillet, incorporating cooked pasta and broccoli. Toss everything together until well coated with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time.Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with parsley and chives. Serve hot, garnished with more Parmesan if desired. Nutrition Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 90mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 10mg NotesFeel free to customize the veggies and proteins to your preference, and remember, fresh herbs enhance flavor significantly! Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
