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Garlic Cowboy Butter Bowtie Pasta with Chicken

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A cozy, flavor-packed Garlic Cowboy Butter Bowtie Pasta with Chicken recipe, perfect for weeknights or dinner parties, featuring tender chicken in a rich, buttery sauce.

  • Author: daniel-kim
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: None

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside.
  2. Season the Chicken: Toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well coated.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  4. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: Lower the heat, add unsalted butter to the skillet, and melt, scraping the browned bits from the chicken into the sauce. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Stir well, add parsley and chives, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Combine Everything: Return the chicken and drained bowtie pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat in the cowboy butter sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky consistency. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until creamy.
  6. Serve: Divide pasta among bowls, garnish with extra Parmesan, parsley, or a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Serve hot.

Notes

Let the chicken brown well for added flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.

Nutrition