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A close-up of Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli, featuring tender chicken pieces, vibrant broccoli florets, and creamy sauce.

Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli

A flavorful pasta dish featuring chicken, broccoli, and a creamy cowboy butter sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 pound Bowtie pasta
  • 1 tablespoon Salt for pasta water
For the Chicken and Broccoli
  • 1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 head Broccoli cut into florets
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup Heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Add the broccoli florets to the same skillet. Add about 1/4 cup of water, cover, and steam for 3-4 minutes, until tender-crisp. Remove broccoli from the skillet and set aside with the chicken.
  4. Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low. Add the butter and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  6. Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and broccoli back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
  7. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes.

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