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Easy Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken Recipe – Creamy 30-Minute Pasta Dinner

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A creamy, zesty, high-protein pasta dish featuring tender chicken and bowtie pasta in a rich cowboy butter lemon sauce. Ready in 30 minutes and family-friendly.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz bowtie pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove and set aside.
  3. In same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for ~30 seconds.
  4. Add chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 2 minutes.
  5. Lower heat, stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer until slightly thickened.
  6. Add chicken and pasta back in. Toss to coat, adding pasta water if needed.
  7. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness.
  • Add white wine after garlic for deeper flavor (optional).
  • Adjust spice level with red pepper flakes.
  • Best eaten fresh; cream sauces may separate when frozen.
  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 540 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 135 mg