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Lemon Cowboy Butter Chicken Bowtie Pasta with Broccoli

This quick and satisfying dinner combines tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and broccoli in a rich cowboy butter sauce with garlic, herbs, and fresh lemon. The one-pan meal comes together easily for busy weeknights and offers a complete dinner with minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon (juice and zest)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in dried parsley, thyme, and red pepper flakes if using.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce.
  6. Stir in lemon zest and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese for topping.

Notes

Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for best flavor. For a thicker sauce, simmer an additional 2-3 minutes before adding pasta. Works well with penne or rotini if bowtie pasta unavailable.