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Spicy Cowboy Butter Bowtie Chicken

Spicy cowboy butter bowtie chicken with glossy herb-garlic sauce coats golden bowtie pasta and bright broccoli. Diced chicken is seared for savory edges, then everything is tossed and finished with warm spiced butter for a saucy, weeknight-ready bite.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 530
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and aromatics
  • 2 chicken breasts, diced Use bite-size dice so it cooks quickly and stays juicy.
  • 2 clove garlic cloves Minced for even flavor in the spiced butter.
  • 1 lemon, juiced Juice for brightness that balances the cayenne.
Pasta and vegetables
  • 3 cup bowtie pasta Cook until just tender so it holds sauce.
  • 2 cup broccoli florets Steam alongside pasta to keep them crisp-tender.
Spicy herb butter
  • 0.5 cup butter Melt gently so it turns glossy, not greasy.
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne and fresh herbs Add to taste; include the herbs for a fragrant finish.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook pasta and steam broccoli
  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta until tender, about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta stays loose.
  2. Add the broccoli florets to a steamer insert or the pot during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking and steam until bright green and crisp-tender with a fork.
Sear the chicken
  1. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced chicken, and cook until golden on the outside, 6 to 8 minutes, turning once or twice for even browning.
Make spiced herb-garlic butter
  1. Reduce heat to low and melt the butter in the skillet with the garlic, stirring 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Stir in the lemon juice, cayenne, and fresh herbs, then warm just until glossy and bubbling lightly, 1 to 2 minutes.
Toss and serve
  1. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet and toss to coat, warming everything over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce clings to the bowties.
  2. Pour any remaining warm spiced butter over the top right before serving so the surface stays shiny and well-seasoned.

Notes

Pro tip: If the sauce seems thick, add a splash of pasta water while tossing so it turns silky and coats the chicken and broccoli. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat on the stovetop with a small splash of water. Freezing is not recommended for best pasta texture. For a dairy-light swap, use a plant-based butter and keep the same lemon-cayenne-herb balance.