Description

Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken & Broccoli is a flavorful skillet dish featuring tender, golden-browned chicken breasts served with al dente bowtie pasta coated in a rich, zesty lemon butter sauce infused with garlic, shallots, and a spicy kick of smoked paprika and red pepper flakes. Fresh broccoli florets add a vibrant, healthy side to this satisfying one-pan meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 lb)

Pasta

12 oz farfalle (bowtie) pasta

Sauce

1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large shallot, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the farfalle pasta, and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Blanch the broccoli: In the same or a separate large pot of boiling salted water, blanch the broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still crisp. Drain and set aside.
Brown the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sauté for 4-5 minutes per side, until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Season the chicken with black pepper while cooking. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the sauce: Add the remaining butter to the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic, minced shallot, chopped parsley, chopped chives, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper if using. Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes fragrant.
Combine pasta and sauce: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and the cooked bowtie pasta into the sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly.
Return chicken to the pan: Nestle the browned chicken breasts back into the skillet and spoon the flavorful lemon butter sauce over the top to meld the flavors.
Serve: Plate the chicken breasts alongside the lemon butter pasta and serve with the blanched broccoli on the side for a balanced and vibrant meal.

Notes

You can substitute broccoli with other green vegetables like asparagus or green beans.
Adjust the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to control the spice level according to your preference.
For a richer flavor, use browned butter instead of just melted butter in the sauce.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop to prevent drying out.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken, bowtie pasta, broccoli, lemon butter sauce, smoked paprika, skillet dinner, easy weeknight meal