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Quick & Creamy Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Skillet

Close-up of cowboy butter lemon bowtie chicken pasta mixed with bright green broccoli florets in a creamy sauce.
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Make this bold and zesty Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with pasta and broccoli for a satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together fast. You get tender chicken and a rich, buttery lemon sauce in one skillet.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 ounces bowtie (farfalle) pasta
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  3. While the chicken cooks, cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions. Add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  4. Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the sauce. Toss everything gently to coat evenly.
  8. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until everything is heated through.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to the chicken when you season it.
  • You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth if preferred.
  • If you do not have fresh parsley, dried parsley works as a garnish.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/cowboy-butter-lemon-bowtie-chicken/