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Lemon Herb Cowboy Butter Chicken and Bowtie Pasta

A fork lifts a bite of creamy Cowboy butter lemon bowtie chicken pasta, garnished with parsley.
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A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring pan-seared chicken tossed with bowtie pasta in a rich, garlicky cowboy butter sauce brightened with fresh lemon.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 ounces bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • 4 tablespoons homemade or store-bought cowboy butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for creamier sauce)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the cowboy butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, if using. Add the lemon juice.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat evenly with the sauce.
  8. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
  10. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a quick cowboy butter, combine 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • If you prefer a lighter sauce, skip the heavy cream and use only chicken broth and lemon juice.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookifyme.com/cowboy-butter-lemon-bowtie-chicken/