Description
A comforting dish combining buttery, lemony flavors with bowtie pasta, chicken, and broccoli, perfect for family gatherings and weeknight dinners.
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
- to taste Salt and pepper
- optional Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of pasta water for later.
- Prepare Chicken and Broccoli: While the pasta cooks, cube your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. If using fresh broccoli, chop it into florets; if using frozen, there’s no need to thaw.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the cubed chicken, seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sauté until the chicken is cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add the Broccoli: Toss in the broccoli florets with the chicken. Allow them to cook together for about 3-4 minutes until the broccoli brightens in color.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: Lower the heat slightly, pour in the remaining butter, and add the minced garlic. Stir for about a minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and mix to coat in the sauce. If too dry, add reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is achieved.
- Finish with Lemon: Squeeze lemon juice and add lemon zest. Toss to meld the flavors and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: If using, sprinkle fresh parsley on top for presentation and serve hot.
Notes
Serve with a green salad and fresh crusty bread. Best when enjoyed immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken, bowtie pasta, butter sauce, family dinner, easy recipe