Cowboy Butter Lemon Chicken (Print Version)
Savor tender chicken in lemon butter sauce with bowtie pasta and broccoli, rich with garlic and herbs.
# Ingredients:
Chicken
01 -
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 -
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
03 -
1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 -
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 -
Salt and black pepper, to taste
06 -
2 tbsp olive oil
Cowboy Butter Lemon Sauce
07 -
6 tbsp unsalted butter
08 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
10 -
1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 -
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
12 -
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
13 -
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
14 -
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Vegetables
15 -
12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
16 -
2 cups broccoli florets
17 -
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
18 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Add broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and broccoli and set aside.
02 -
Combine chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly.
03 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
04 -
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt completely. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Mix in crushed red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
05 -
Return chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly. Add reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
06 -
Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
# Notes:
01 -
To enhance flavor, allow the chicken to marinate briefly in the seasoning before cooking.