Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken: Easy Weeknight Dinner

Tired of the same old boring chicken dinner? You’re looking for a meal that’s fast, packed with flavor, and doesn’t leave you with a sink full of dishes. This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Recipe solves that weeknight dinner dilemma.

The Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken recipe is the perfect easy weeknight dinner, ready in under 30 minutes. It features tender, sautéed chicken and al dente bowtie pasta tossed in a zesty, savory lemon-garlic butter sauce with fresh broccoli. This one-pan meal delivers a bold flavor profile with minimal cleanup, making it a new family favorite.

Drawing from a chef-tested, verified recipe designed for home cooks, this guide provides everything you need. You’ll discover the simple steps to create a dish bursting with zesty citrus notes and savory compound butter. Get ready to transform your weeknight routine with a truly impressive meal.

Why Is This Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken the Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner?

This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a complete solution for the common weeknight dinner struggle. The magic of the Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken lies in its perfect balance of speed, flavor, and simplicity. We’re talking about a 30-minute meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen. The core of this recipe is the cowboy butter sauce, a vibrant and savory compound butter traditionally used for steak, here reimagined to elevate simple chicken and pasta into something extraordinary. By combining tender chicken pieces, al dente bowtie pasta, and crisp broccoli in one pan, you get a balanced meal that satisfies cravings for something both comforting and exciting. It addresses the need for a quick dinner idea without sacrificing the bold flavor profile that makes a meal memorable.

7 Steps to Your Perfect Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken

Creating this delicious cowboy butter chicken pasta is a straightforward process designed for success. We’ve broken it down into seven clear, manageable steps, taking you from preparation to serving a perfect meal. Following this step-by-step guide ensures every component is cooked perfectly, from the golden sautéed chicken to the silky, emulsified sauce. Each stage is designed to build layers of flavor, a culinary technique known as flavor layering, which is the secret to this dish’s incredible taste. By preparing your ingredients beforehand (a technique called mise en place), you’ll find the cooking process smooth, fast, and stress-free.

1. Gather Your Ingredients & Tools

Pin this ingredient list for your next grocery run!

What You Need

• For the Chicken & Pasta:
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
  • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
• For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 whole lemon (for 2 tbsp juice and 1 tsp zest)
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• For Garnish (Optional):
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Tools Required

1. Large pot (for boiling pasta)
2. Large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron or stainless steel recommended)
3. Colander
4. Chef’s knife and cutting board
5. Microplane or zester
6. Whisk
7. Measuring cups and spoons

Pro-Tip: Using a high-quality cast iron skillet is key to achieving a perfect sear on the chicken, which creates the Maillard reaction—a chemical process that develops deep flavor and a golden-brown crust.

2. Prepare Your Components (Mise en Place)

A little prep makes the cooking process so much smoother!

What You Need

• All ingredients from Step 1
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Zester/Microplane
• Small bowls for organization

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into uniform, bite sized pieces. Place in a bowl and season generously with the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
2. Prepare Aromatics & Herbs: Finely mince the cloves of garlic and the shallot. Using a microplane zester, zest the entire lemon, then cut it in half for juicing later. Chop the fresh parsley.
3. Prepare the Pasta Water: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil.

Pro-Tip: For the most intense citrus flavor, use a microplane zesting tool. It removes only the outer yellow peel without the bitter white pith, ensuring a pure, vibrant lemon zest flavor in your sauce.

3. Cook the Pasta and Broccoli

Save this tip for perfectly cooked pasta every time!

Supplies Needed

• Large pot of boiling, salted water
• Colander
• Liquid measuring cup

Instructions

1. Boil the bowtie pasta according to package directions until it is just shy of al dente (usually about 8-9 minutes).
2. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot with the pasta. This will perfectly blanch the broccoli, keeping it bright green and crisp-tender.
3. Before you drain, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.
4. Drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander and set aside.

Pro-Tip: Don’t skip reserving the pasta cooking water! The starch in the water is a key binder that helps the buttery sauce cling to the pasta and chicken, creating a silky, emulsified texture rather than an oily one. This is a core principle of pasta starch binding.

4. Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

The secret to juicy chicken is a perfect sear.

What You Need

• Large skillet (cast iron recommended)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Seasoned chicken pieces from Step 2

Instructions

1. Heat the Skillet: Place your skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. The pan is hot enough when the oil shimmers.
2. Sear the Chicken: Carefully add the seasoned chicken to the hot pan in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary).
3. Cook Undisturbed: Let the chicken sear for 3-4 minutes without moving it to develop a deep golden-brown crust.
4. Flip and Finish: Flip the chicken and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
5. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

Pro-Tip: For the juiciest chicken, avoid overcooking. Remove it from the pan just as it reaches 165°F. The chicken will continue to cook slightly from residual heat (carry-over cooking) while it rests.

5. Create the Signature Cowboy Butter Sauce

This is where the magic happens! Pin this sauce technique.

Sauce Ingredients

• Skillet used for chicken (with browned bits)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 finely chopped shallot
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Melt Butter: Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Once melted, add the minced garlic and shallot. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Deglaze and Build: Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with your whisk. This is where the flavor is!
4. Whisk and Simmer: Whisk in the lemon zest, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Pro-Tip: The key to a non-broken butter sauce is emulsification. Whisking constantly as you add the liquids helps bind the fat (butter) and water (broth, juice) together into a stable, creamy sauce.

6. Combine and Toss Everything Together

The final step before you get to enjoy this amazing dinner!

What You Need

• Skillet with the Cowboy Butter Sauce
• Cooked chicken
• Cooked pasta and broccoli
• Reserved pasta water
• Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Return to Skillet: Add the cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli back into the skillet with the cowboy butter sauce.
2. Toss to Combine: Gently toss everything together over low heat until the pasta and chicken are well-coated and heated through.
3. Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired silky consistency.
4. Finish with Herbs: Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped fresh parsley.

Pro-Tip: Add the fresh parsley at the very end, off the heat. This preserves its bright green color and fresh, delicate flavor, providing a burst of freshness that balances the rich butter sauce.

7. Garnish, Serve, and Store Leftovers

Dinner is served! Pin this for when you need a showstopper meal.

What You Need

• The finished Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Additional fresh parsley for garnish
• Airtight containers for storage

Instructions

1. Serve Immediately: Divide the pasta among serving bowls.
2. Garnish Generously: Garnish each bowl with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of extra fresh parsley.
3. Store Leftovers: Allow any leftover pasta to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
4. Reheat Smart: To reheat, add a splash of water or chicken broth to a pan over low heat, then add the pasta. Stir gently until warmed through. This helps reactivate the sauce and prevents it from becoming oily.

Pro-Tip: Avoid reheating this pasta dish in the microwave if possible. The high, uneven heat can make the chicken tough and cause the butter sauce to separate and become greasy. A gentle stovetop reheat is always best for reheating chicken pasta.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

This recipe is simple, but focusing on a few key techniques will elevate your dish from good to unforgettable. Here are the most important takeaways to ensure your lemon bowtie chicken is perfect every time.

• Sear Chicken Properly: Use a hot, non-crowded pan to get a deep brown crust (the Maillard reaction), which is essential for flavor layering. This is the best dry chicken fix.

• Don’t Waste Flavor: Deglaze the pan with broth and lemon juice to scrape up all the browned bits left from the chicken. This is a non-negotiable step for a rich cowboy butter sauce.

• Save Your Pasta Water: That starchy water is liquid gold. It’s the secret ingredient for emulsification, helping the butter sauce cling to the pasta for a silky, non-greasy finish.

• Balance the Flavors: The richness of the savory compound butter is balanced by the acidity of the fresh lemon juice and the freshness of the parsley. Don’t be tempted to use bottled lemon juice.

• Control Your Heat: Sauté garlic over medium-low heat to make it fragrant, not burnt. A burnt garlic warning is key, as it will make the entire sauce bitter.

• Cook Broccoli with the Pasta: Save a pot and time by adding broccoli to the boiling pasta water during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. It’s the easiest way to blanch broccoli for pasta.

People Also Ask About Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken

What is cowboy butter and is it spicy?

Cowboy butter is a compound butter sauce, traditionally served with steak, that is packed with flavor. It’s not just butter; it’s a zesty, savory, and aromatic sauce. Its core ingredients include garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, and herbs. The spiciness comes from red pepper flakes and is generally mild but can be easily adjusted. You can add more for a bigger kick or leave them out for a completely non-spicy, kid friendly version.

How do you prevent the butter sauce from separating or breaking?

The key to preventing a broken butter sauce is creating a proper emulsification. This means whisking constantly as you add the liquids (broth, lemon juice) to the melted butter. Also, using the starchy pasta water you reserved is crucial; the starch acts as a binder that helps hold the fat and water together, ensuring a smooth, creamy sauce that won’t become an oily mess. Don’t let the sauce come to a rapid boil after it’s emulsified.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs are an excellent substitute for breasts in this recipe. They have a higher fat content, which makes them more flavorful and harder to overcook, ensuring you have juicy chicken. The cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly longer to ensure they are cooked through to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Simply cut them into bite-sized pieces as you would with the breasts.

What are good substitutes for the bowtie pasta?

You can substitute bowtie (farfalle) pasta with any medium-sized pasta shape that has ridges or cups to hold the sauce well. Excellent choices include penne, rotini, fusilli, or shells. The texture and shape of these pastas are perfect for catching the delicious lemon butter sauce and small bits of chicken and broccoli, ensuring a perfect bite every time. Avoid long, thin pastas like spaghetti.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can make a dairy-free version with a few simple swaps. Use a high-quality, plant-based butter substitute that browns well in place of regular butter. You will also need to omit the optional Parmesan cheese garnish or replace it with a dairy-free Parmesan alternative. The rest of the ingredients are naturally dairy-free, allowing you to enjoy a similar bold flavor profile.

How do I keep the chicken from getting dry?

To avoid dry chicken, focus on two things: a quick, high-heat sear and not overcooking. Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this steams the chicken instead of searing it. Cook it just until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, then remove it from the heat immediately. The chicken will continue to cook slightly as it rests (carry-over cooking), resulting in perfectly juicy, tender chicken pieces.

Why is it called “Cowboy Butter”?

The name “Cowboy Butter” evokes the hearty, rustic, and bold flavors of American West cooking, though its exact origin is modern. It was popularized as a dipping sauce for grilled meats, particularly steak, reminiscent of something you might enjoy on a ranch. The name is more about marketing a flavor profile—robust, zesty, and a little bit spicy—than a historical recipe. Its application on chicken and pasta is a delicious modern fusion.

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

For the best flavor, it is highly recommended to use fresh lemon juice and zest. Bottled lemon juice lacks the bright, aromatic oils found in fresh lemons and can sometimes have a metallic or “off” taste. Since the vibrant lemon zest and juice are key components of the sauce’s flavor profile, using fresh ingredients will make a significant difference in the final quality of your dish.

Does this recipe use heavy cream?

No, this authentic cowboy butter chicken recipe does not use heavy cream. The creaminess of the sauce comes from the emulsification of butter, broth, and starchy pasta water. This creates a lighter yet still rich and silky sauce without the added heaviness or calories of cream, allowing the zesty lemon and garlic flavors to shine through more clearly.

What goes best with cowboy butter chicken pasta?

This dish is a complete one-pan meal, but it pairs wonderfully with simple sides. A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce. For a heartier meal, serve it with warm, crusty garlic bread for dipping into any extra melted butter sauce at the bottom of your bowl.

Final Thoughts on Your New Favorite Dinner

You now have the complete playbook for the Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Recipe. This dish proves that a quick weeknight dinner doesn’t have to be bland or boring. By embracing a few simple techniques like searing your chicken properly, deglazing the pan, and using that starchy pasta water, you can create a meal with a bold flavor profile that is truly impressive. This is more than just a recipe; it’s a reliable method for turning simple ingredients into a fantastic 30-minute meal. Now it’s your turn to get in the kitchen and make some magic happen.

Last update on 2026-02-21 at 10:53 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API