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Cowboy butter lemon bowtie chicken with broccoli and spices

Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli

A flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, zesty lemon, and vibrant broccoli tossed with bowtie pasta, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Protein
  • 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breasts Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Starch/Pasta
  • 8 ounces Bowtie pasta Cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Seasoning/Spice Blend
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning Sprinkle evenly over chicken pieces.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt To taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper To taste.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes Optional for added heat.
Liquids/Dairy
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter Melted, for rich flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon juice Use fresh for best taste.
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard For added tang.
Aromatics & Vegetables
  • 3 cloves Garlic Mince for flavor.
  • 2 cups Broccoli florets Cut into small pieces.
Optional Finishing Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish.
  • 1 tablespoon Chives Chopped, for garnish.
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest For additional lemon flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions for about 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cooking
  1. In the same pan, heat some unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken and season with Cajun seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  2. Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  3. Stir in the broccoli florets and cook for about 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  4. Pour in the melted butter, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Stir to combine all the flavors.
  5. Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the pan and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated.
  6. Remove from heat and top with fresh parsley, chives, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

For best results, serve immediately and consider pairing with crusty bread. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.