Oh, weeknights, am I right? Sometimes I feel like I’m juggling flaming torches just to get dinner on the table. But you know what always saves the day and brings everyone together? Pasta night! This particular evening, I was in a real pinch, my schedule completely crammed, but I still wanted to whip up something amazing. That’s where my trusty cowboy butter and a little bit of kitchen magic came in. I paired it with zesty lemon and some cute bowtie pasta, threw in some broccoli for good measure (gotta get those greens in!), and voilà! My Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner was born. It’s become a total lifesaver, proof that even when life gets crazy, a delicious meal can still connect us all around the table.
Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner
Seriously, this dish is a weeknight warrior! Here’s why it’s going to be your new favorite:
- Super Speedy: You can whip up this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner in under 30 minutes – perfect for those busy evenings!
- Crazy Easy: No fancy techniques here, just simple steps that lead to a restaurant-worthy meal.
- Flavor Bomb: The rich cowboy butter, bright lemon, savory chicken, and tender broccoli create a taste sensation you won’t forget.
- Family Approved: It’s a crowd-pleaser that even the pickiest eaters will devour. Everyone loves pasta, right?
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner comes together with stuff you probably already have, or can grab super easily. Trust me, it’s worth it!
For the Pasta & Chicken
- 8 ounces linguine (or your favorite pasta shape, bowtie pasta works great too!)
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into about 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic salt
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.25 teaspoon pepper
For the Amazing Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 0.25 cup cowboy butter, divided (this is the magic ingredient!)
- 0.75 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (for an extra kick!)
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (just a little heat, you can add more if you like it spicy!)
- 0.5 teaspoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed is best!)
- A few lemon slices for pretty garnish
- A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional, but it looks so nice!)
You can find out more about cowboy butter here!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli
Alright, let’s get cooking! This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner is so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. So grab your apron and let’s make some dinner magic!
Pasta recipes in 10 minutes are totally doable with this one!
Prepare the Pasta
First things first, let’s get that pasta going. Grab a big pot, fill it with water, and add a good pinch of salt – this is key for flavorful pasta! Bring that water to a rolling boil, then toss in your linguine (or those cute bowtie noodles!). Cook them according to the package directions until they’re perfectly al dente. You want a little bite, not mushy! Once they’re ready, drain them really well and set them aside. Don’t rinse them; we want all that yummy starch to help the sauce cling!
Cook the Chicken
Now, let’s get the chicken going in a large skillet. Heat up that olive oil over medium-high heat. While it’s warming, sprinkle your chicken pieces with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Get them all coated nicely. Carefully add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer – don’t crowd the pan, or it’ll steam instead of searing! Cook for about 3-4 minutes on the first side until it’s nice and golden brown. Then, add about 2 tablespoons of your cowboy butter to the pan. Flip those chicken pieces and let them cook for another 3-4 minutes until they’re cooked all the way through. The safest bet is to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Create the Cowboy Butter Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked, lift it out of the skillet and pop it onto a plate to keep warm. Don’t clean that skillet! We’re using all those delicious browned bits. Turn the heat down to low. Now, add the rest of your cowboy butter (the remaining 2 tablespoons), the heavy cream, that extra teaspoon of garlic salt, and the crushed red pepper flakes. Scrape the bottom of the pan with your spoon to get all those flavor bits mixed into the sauce. Stir it all gently until the butter melts and everything is beautifully combined and starts to thicken just a little. Keep the heat low so the cream doesn’t scorch – we want smooth and luscious!
Combine and Finish
Now for the grand finale! Add your drained linguine and that beautifully cooked chicken right into the skillet with the cowboy butter sauce. Give it a good toss, making sure every single strand of pasta and every piece of chicken is coated in that glorious, creamy goodness. Stir in that fresh lemon juice – it just brightens everything up! Give it one final gentle stir. Serve it up immediately, garnished with those pretty lemon slices and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy. It looks as good as it tastes!
Tips for Perfect Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli
You know, whipping up the perfect Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner is all about a few little tricks. Don’t worry, they’re easy peasy!
First off, quality ingredients really make a difference. If you can get your hands on some good cowboy butter, go for it! But if you’re in a pinch, I’ll give you a super easy swap later. For the chicken, make sure those pieces are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Nobody likes half-cooked chicken, right? And please, please, please don’t overcook your pasta! Al dente is the way to go; it holds up so much better in the sauce. Trust me on this one.
Also, when you’re making that luscious sauce, keep the heat on low once the cream goes in. It’s like coaxing a cat – you gotta be gentle! We just want it to warm through and thicken slightly, not boil and risk breaking. Little things like scraping up all those browned bits from the chicken pan? That’s where the real flavor magic happens. It’s a simple step, but it seriously elevates this Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner from good to absolutely incredible. You can also check out more tips on making chicken recipes like a pro!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s talk briefly about a few of these ingredients, just in case they’re new to you or you need a little swap! You know, sometimes you’re halfway through making this awesome Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner and realize you’re missing something. No worries!
Cowboy Butter: This is a flavored butter, usually with herbs and spices. If you don’t have store-bought cowboy butter, you can totally make your own! Just soften some regular butter and mix in garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes, dried parsley, and maybe a little smoked paprika. It won’t be *exactly* the same, but it’ll get you super close to that cowboy flavor!
Pasta Choice: While I used linguine, I mentioned bowtie pasta works great too! Honestly, any medium-sized pasta shape that can hold onto that creamy sauce will be delicious. Farfalle, rotini, penne – they all work!
Serving Suggestions for This Pasta Dish
This incredible Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner is a full meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round out your plate, keep it simple! A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette is always a winner. Or, how about some crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of that amazing sauce? For drinks, a crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or even just sparkling water with a lemon wedge would be perfect. You can find some easy dinner recipes for inspiration!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers of this amazing Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner? Lucky you! Let them cool down a bit, then pop them into an airtight container and stash them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is to gently warm it up in a skillet over low heat, maybe adding just a tiny splash of milk or cream to bring back that luscious sauce consistency. You can microwave it too, just stir halfway through! For more tips on making ahead, check out these make-ahead meal tips.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli
Got questions about making this amazing Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner? I’ve got answers!
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While linguine and bowtie pasta are fantastic for this dish, feel free to use penne, rotini, or even shells. Just make sure to cook them al dente according to package directions so they don’t get mushy in that yummy sauce!
What if I don’t have cowboy butter?
No cowboy butter? No problem! You can whip up a quick substitute by softening about 2 tablespoons of regular butter and mixing in some garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of cayenne, dried parsley, and maybe a little smoked paprika. It’ll give you a similar flavor profile, though maybe a touch less zesty!
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You sure can! Just skip the chicken and add in some pan-fried tofu, chickpeas, or even extra broccoli and mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian version of our Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner. The creamy sauce is still out-of-this-world delicious!
How spicy is this dish?
This dish has just a tiny hint of heat from the crushed red pepper flakes, so it’s generally pretty mild. If you love a good kick, feel free to add more red pepper flakes to the sauce, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper when you season the chicken!
For more pasta recipe ideas, check out this link!
Nutritional Information
Let’s talk numbers for this yummy Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner! While every kitchen is a little different, here are some estimated figures to give you a general idea. This recipe typically comes in around 761 calories per serving, with about 48g of fat, 42g of protein, and 37g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind these can tweak a bit depending on the exact brands and amounts you use, but it’s a nicely balanced meal!
For more healthy meal ideas, check out these healthy meal recipes!
Share Your Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli Creation!
Alright, home cooks, I’ve shared my secrets for this fantastic Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner, and now I want to see yours! Did you try it? Did you love it? Pop a comment down below, give it a rating if you can, or better yet, snap a pic and tag me on social media! I absolutely adore seeing how your dishes turn out. If you have any questions or wanna share your own twists, reach out through my contact page too!
Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Pasta with Broccoli for Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the linguine and cook until al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer. Season chicken with paprika, garlic salt, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown.
- Add 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter to the skillet. Flip chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F, about 3-4 minutes more.
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside to keep warm.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Scrape brown bits from the pan and stir until butter melts.
- Add the cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce.
- Add lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Serve garnished with lemon slices.
