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Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli

A delightful dish featuring tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and bowtie pasta tossed in a buttery, lemony sauce that balances richness and brightness.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups bowtie pasta
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 cups broccoli florets

For the Sauce

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 each lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish

  • to taste fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
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Ninja Air Fryer with Air Crisp | 5 QT Capacity fits up to 4lbs of Fries | 4-in-1 Pro
Instant Pot 6QT VORTEX Plus Air Fryer, 6-in-1
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle, Dough Hook, Splash Guard w/ Pour Spout, White Linen, SM-50NAS, Manual

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Begin by cooking the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
  • Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Cooking Chicken

  • Increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
  • Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  • While the chicken cooks, steam the broccoli florets until tender but still bright green, about 4-5 minutes.

Combining Ingredients

  • Once the chicken is cooked, zest the lemon directly into the skillet, followed by the lemon juice. Stir to combine.
  • Add the cooked pasta and steamed broccoli to the skillet, tossing everything together to coat in the buttery sauce.
  • Sprinkle with dried parsley and adjust seasoning if needed. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.

Serving

  • Serve warm, garnished with fresh chopped parsley on top.

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Notes

For a lighter version, swap unsalted butter for olive oil. Consider adding a splash of vegetable broth for extra flavor, or make it healthier with whole wheat bowtie pasta. Leftovers can be reheated and make for easy lunches.
Keyword Bowtie Pasta, chicken pasta, Easy Dinner, Healthy Dinner, pasta recipe