Description
Discover the best flavor of cowboy butter lemon bowtie chicken with our step-by-step recipe. This easy-to-bake dish features tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a vibrant, zesty herb-infused sauce that’s incredibly delicious!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets or cubed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3–4 tbsp)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- 1. Prep and Cook Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 3-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 2. Make Cowboy Butter: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat, then stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 3. Cook Pasta: While making the butter, cook bowtie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- 4. Combine & Finish: Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and pour cowboy butter sauce over everything. Toss gently to coat. If sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of reserved pasta water until desired consistency.
- 5. Optional Bake: For enhanced flavor, transfer to a baking dish (if not already using oven-safe skillet) and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through and flavors meld. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins