Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli Bliss
This flavorful Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli Bliss is a quick and easy pasta dish made with juicy chicken, tender broccoli, and a rich, zesty lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie farfalle pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken cubed or shredded
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Olive oil
- Optional: Parmesan cheese for topping
- Reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Steam or blanch broccoli for 3–4 minutes until just tender.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil.
- Add chicken and cook until warmed through, then remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice, zest, Dijon mustard, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
- Add pasta, broccoli, and chicken back to the skillet.
- Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through and well coated.
- Garnish with parsley and Parmesan, then serve warm.
Notes
- Do not overcook broccoli—it should remain slightly crisp.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Cook garlic gently to avoid burning.
- Adjust lemon to taste for balanced flavor.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of liquid.