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Cowboy butter lemon bowtie chicken with broccoli in a large skillet garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges

Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli

A rich, buttery, and lemony one-skillet pasta dinner with tender cubed chicken, crisp broccoli, and bowtie pasta tossed in a garlic lemon butter sauce. Ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups bowtie pasta farfalle
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cubed into 1-inch even pieces
  • 2 cups broccoli florets fresh preferred, or frozen thawed and drained
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter real butter only, not spread or substitute
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon juiced and zested, fresh only
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley chopped, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once foaming, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let garlic brown or it will turn bitter.
  3. Add cubed chicken in a single layer. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes without stirring to develop a golden sear, then flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until cooked through with no pink inside and internal temperature reads 165°F.
  4. Add broccoli florets and toss with the chicken and garlic butter. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Do not overcook.
  5. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat evenly. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce looks dry.
  6. Add drained bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss until fully coated in the lemon garlic butter sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh lemon juice and zest only. Reserve pasta water before draining. Do not overcook broccoli. For extra heat, add red pepper flakes. Chicken must reach 165°F internal temperature. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth.