There’s something about a late-night kitchen experiment that turns a good idea into a kitchen jackpot! That’s exactly how this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli came to life. I was craving comfort food but wanted to shake things up with bold flavors that make your taste buds do a little happy dance. Picture this: buttery, zesty lemon sauce with that buttery cowboy butter kick, tender bowtie pasta, juicy chicken, and perfect broccoli bites all mingling on my stove late into the night. The anticipation was real!
What started as a playful mashup of my favorite cowboy butter sauce chicken and a creamy lemon pasta with broccoli quickly turned into a favorite recipe that now graces my weeknight table regularly. This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli isn’t just dinner—it’s a flavor adventure that turns ordinary pasta into something special. The best part? It delivers satisfaction with every bite, so no boring meals here, only that cozy comfort food with a twist we all crave.
If you’re looking for a simple yet bold bowtie pasta chicken broccoli recipe, this one’s for you. The creamy lemon butter chicken pasta elements blend beautifully with steamed broccoli, and cowboys butter sauce chicken brings that deep, buttery punch we love. Join me in this flavor-filled kitchen hangout where every bite fires up your senses, and weeknight dinner feels like a celebration!
Before we get cooking, if you’re loving this comfort food twist, you’ll go crazy for my Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta, one of my all-time favorite festive recipes perfect for sharing!
Ready to dive into a bowl of this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli magic? Let’s jump in and make every meal a moment worth loving!
Ingredients You Need
This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli ingredient list is all about bold flavors that actually work together! Here’s what you’ll want:
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle) – easy to find in any grocery store pasta aisle
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts – sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets – washed and prepped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter – this cowboy butter sauce chicken gets its amazing taste from real, creamy butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced – garlic is a must for that bold flavor punch
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – adds that smoky cowboy feel
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes – optional, but I love adding extra kick to my Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
- Zest of 1 lemon – gives the fresh zing for creamy lemon pasta with broccoli
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons) – for that bright citrus pop
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese – for creamy, cheesy comfort
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine – adds moisture and depth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – for cooking chicken perfectly
No worries if you don’t have smoked paprika or chili flakes – I use ground cumin or cayenne pepper in a pinch! Also, if fresh broccoli isn’t on hand, frozen broccoli works wonders and blends right in without missing a beat. This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is perfect for busy nights because you can prep all the ingredients in advance and store some in the fridge for freshness.
If you want to add more lush flavor, throw in some sun-dried tomatoes or swap Parmesan with Pecorino Romano. These small tweaks keep the recipe exciting and adaptable.
Need a little more inspiration? This recipe reminds me of a dish I tried with sausage and butternut squash gnocchi — really bold and cozy! You should check out my Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage. It’s a whole flavor party!
Let’s Make Some!
Get ready, fellow food lovers — making Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli is where the delicious magic really begins!
- Cook your bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, generally around 10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving about half a cup of the pasta cooking water to keep things saucy. Your kitchen is about to smell incredible with those fresh pasta aromas!
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the chicken bites and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and chili flakes. This cowboy butter sauce chicken step is where bold flavor steps in. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Don’t worry if your chicken pieces have crispy edges — those bits add so much flavor!
- Push chicken to one side of the pan and drop in butter. As it melts, stir in minced garlic and let it sizzle for a minute until fragrant. This is my favorite part of making Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli — watch the buttery garlic aroma fill your kitchen!
- Add lemon zest and lemon juice, followed by chicken broth or white wine. Stir everything together and let it bubble to combine those bold flavors, about 2-3 minutes. This is where the magic starts happening!
- Toss in broccoli florets, stirring to coat them in the sauce. Cover the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is tender but still bright green. Your Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli should smell absolutely incredible right now!
- Add cooked bowtie pasta back into the skillet, stirring everything together. If things seem a bit dry, splash in that reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Finish with grated Parmesan, stirring to melt it into the sauce for creamy lemon pasta with broccoli goodness!
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a little more lemon juice if you want extra zing.
Typically, this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. If you want to save time, grill or cook your chicken earlier and just assemble pasta and sauce. I love this easy chicken broccoli pasta skillet trick for busy weeknights!
And if you’re loving this sauce, you might want to peek at the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine over at I Am Homesteader’s site — similar vibe with fresh, buttery flavor.
How to Serve Up This!
This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli just begs to be served up with style and bold flavor!
I love serving this dish straight from the skillet onto plates sprinkled with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. It’s perfect for those weeknight dinners that need to be special but not complicated. People literally do happy dances when this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli hits the table with its bright lemon notes and buttery sauce.
Pair it with a fresh garden salad or some crusty garlic bread. For a fun fusion twist, adding a drizzle of smoky chipotle mayo on the side amps up the flavor without overshadowing the lemon butter chicken pasta.
This dish is fantastic for potlucks or game nights because it holds up beautifully and the flavors deepen over time. Got leftovers? Reheat and toss with a splash of broth and an extra squeeze of lemon for a second round of creamy lemon pasta with broccoli magic.
You might even want to mix in some cooked sausage or swap broccoli for asparagus to switch up the flavor profile. Remember that sausage and broccoli bow tie pasta is a crowd-pleaser too — check it out here. Clever swaps make a huge difference and the base sauce stays divine.
For more weeknight winners that don’t sacrifice on taste, check out my Hasselback Butternut Squash with Feta, which plays up earthy sweetness with bold feta on top!
FAQs:
Will kitchen newbies succeed with this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli?
Absolutely! The steps are straightforward, and the bold flavors do all the heavy lifting. Remember, cooking with butter and lemon is forgiving, and the flavors come together like magic.
What if I mess up my Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli?
No stress! It’ll still taste incredible. If the sauce’s too thick, splash in some chicken broth or pasta water. If the lemon is too strong, add more butter or cheese to mellow it out.
Can I make this creamy lemon pasta with broccoli dairy-free?
Totally! Swap butter for a dairy-free alternative and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. The flavor will still shine through.
How can I prep this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli for busy weeknights?
Dice chicken and chop broccoli ahead of time. Cook bowtie pasta in bulk earlier in the week, then toss everything together quick for weeknight magic.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a little broth to keep the sauce creamy.
Can I swap bowtie pasta for other pasta shapes?
Yes! Penne, rotini, or even spaghetti works well. Bowtie pasta is just a fun shape that holds the sauce beautifully.
Where did you get inspiration for cowboy butter sauce chicken?
Honestly, I fell in love with this from a post on Facebook showcasing Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli A fresh and comforting pasta skillet magic. It gave me the push to try my own bold take.
Conclusion:
This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli brings me so much joy every time I make it. There’s something about that buttery, lemony sauce paired with tender chicken, creamy pasta, and fresh broccoli that feels like a hug for your taste buds. It’s a welcome mix of comfort food with a twist, perfect for impressing friends or enjoying solo.
My Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli Flavor Secrets:
- Always zest the lemon fresh for bright, vibrant flavor.
- Don’t skip the garlic in the butter; it creates the bold backbone of the sauce.
- Use that reserved pasta water to get the perfect silky sauce consistency every time.
For more delicious twists, mix in sausage for a heartier option, swap broccoli for roasted asparagus for spring vibes, or try a spicy version with extra chili flakes when you want a heat kick. Each version sets the table for different occasions—from casual weeknights to festive game day spreads.
Trust your taste buds and get playful — this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli invites you to bring bold flavor and comfy noodles together with confidence. I’m so excited for you to pull it together and love every bite that comes out of your kitchen.
And if you’re looking for flavor-packed comfort food that keeps things exciting, don’t miss my Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta or Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage — perfect companions on your food journey!
Dive in, and welcome to your new favorite weeknight winner!
For another take on cowboy butter sauce chicken magic, check out the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine recipe inspired by I Am Homesteader. It’s a bold twist that pairs beautifully with creamy pasta dishes like this one. Happy cooking, friends!
Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken with Broccoli
A flavorful skillet dish combining tender bowtie pasta, juicy lemon-infused chicken, buttery cowboy spice, and vibrant steamed broccoli for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Steam broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper to create the cowboy butter seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium, add butter and garlic to the skillet. Stir until butter melts and garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Sprinkle the cowboy butter seasoning over the chicken and stir to coat evenly.
- Add lemon zest and lemon juice to the skillet, stirring to combine.
- Toss in the cooked bowtie pasta and steamed broccoli, mixing gently to combine all ingredients and heat through.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese if using, and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice and cowboy butter seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking. Serve with a side of crusty bread or a fresh green salad.