Description
A delightful fusion of bowtie pasta, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli enveloped in a creamy cowboy butter sauce with lemon zest.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups bowtie pasta
- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 unit lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving a splash of the pasta water.
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, melt half of the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken, sprinkling with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté broccoli and garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Toss in broccoli florets and sauté for 2-3 minutes until bright and tender-crisp. Add minced garlic, stirring constantly to avoid burning, and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Combine everything: Lower the heat, returning the chicken to the skillet. Pour in the lemon juice and zest, stirring to combine. Add the cooked bowtie pasta, a splash of reserved pasta water if needed, and mix until every strand is coated in that irresistible butter sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm: Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
Prep the chicken and broccoli the night before to save time. This dish can be customized with different vegetables, such as bell peppers or asparagus.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: bowtie pasta, chicken recipe, buttery sauce, lemon chicken, easy dinner