Print

Creamy Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken That Melts Hearts

Print Recipe

A cozy weeknight dish that combines bright lemon, rich butter, and a spicy Cajun kick with tender seared chicken and bowtie pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz Bowtie Pasta, dry
  • 1 lb Chicken Breast, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 Lemon (Juice & Zest)
  • 0.5 cup Fresh Parsley & Chives, chopped
  • 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 2 cups Broccoli Florets

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces, zest and juice the lemon, mince the garlic, and chop the parsley and chives.
  2. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the bowtie pasta, and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. Season the chicken. Toss the chicken pieces with the Cajun seasoning until they are evenly coated.
  4. Sear the chicken. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken and keep it warm on a plate.
  5. Melt butter and garlic. Reduce the heat slightly and melt the unsalted butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 to 45 seconds.
  6. Build the sauce. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and lemon juice to create a silky sauce base.
  7. Cook the broccoli. Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and tender. Stir in half of the chopped parsley and chives.
  8. Combine everything. Lower the heat, return the chicken to the skillet, and add the drained pasta. Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
  9. Finish and serve. Adjust seasoning with more Cajun seasoning if desired. Garnish with the remaining parsley and chives and serve warm with extra Parmesan.

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: bowtie pasta, chicken, creamy sauce, Cajun seasoning, weeknight dinner

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