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A gourmet plate featuring the Zesty Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken & Broccoli Delight! served as a vibrant and flavorful main course meal.

Zesty Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken & Broccoli Delight

This vibrant, restaurant-quality pasta dish combines succulent chicken, tender-crisp broccoli, and a bold, emulsified cowboy butter sauce. It is the ultimate 20-minute solution for busy weeknights that doesn't compromise on flavor or nutrition.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American Fusion
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz Farfalle bowtie
  • 1.5 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 cups Fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted grass-fed butter, melted
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt for pasta water
  • Black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large stockpot for boiling pasta
  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Colander for draining
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Tongs or wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the bowtie pasta.
  2. During the final 3 minutes of the pasta's cook time, add the fresh broccoli florets directly into the boiling water.
  3. Drain the pasta and broccoli, ensuring you reserve approximately 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the butter, allowing it to melt into the chicken juices.
  6. Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 60 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Whisk in the fresh lemon juice to emulsify the sauce.
  8. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli back into the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat, adding small splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to create a glossy, cohesive sauce.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For extra brightness, add fresh lemon zest to the final dish. If you have leftover bell peppers or asparagus, they make excellent additions. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; add a splash of water when reheating to restore the sauce's silky consistency.