Description
A vibrant American dish blending tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and broccoli in a creamy lemon herb butter sauce. The cowboy butter’s garlic and citrus notes create a rich yet balanced flavor profile with a satisfying texture contrast from the slight broccoli crunch.
Ingredients
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
8 ounces bowtie pasta
4 cups broccoli florets
Salt and pepper to taste
Dried Italian herbs to taste
Instructions
Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs.
In a small bowl, mix butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and garlic powder to form cowboy butter.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and juices are set (internal temperature of 165°F).
Meanwhile, cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Steam broccoli until tender-crisp.
Add cowboy butter mixture to the skillet with seared chicken, scraping any browned bits.
Gently stir in cooked pasta and steamed broccoli. Blend ingredients to coat evenly with the butter sauce.
Notes
Substitute chicken thighs for extra moisture
Use vegan butter for a dairy-free version
Lemon juice can be replaced with non-alcoholic citrus extract
Steaming broccoli prevents overcooking
Add cherry tomatoes for a fresh twist
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: lunch
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg