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Garlic Cowboy Butter Bowtie Pasta with Chicken

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A cozy weeknight dinner blending bold Southern flavors with pasta comfort, featuring tender chicken in a garlicky butter sauce with Cajun spices.

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. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt and black pepper to taste in a bowl until well coated.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring or turning as needed, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
  4. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add unsalted butter. Melt the butter and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
  5. Stir in red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, and juice of lemon. Mix in chopped parsley and chives, then season with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
  6. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently until everything is coated in the sauce, using reserved pasta water to adjust consistency as needed. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy.
  7. Serve the pasta in bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan, a sprinkle of parsley, or additional Cajun seasoning if desired.

Notes

For best browning, pat the chicken dry before seasoning. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta, chicken, garlic, Cajun, Southern, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://easydessertideas.com/garlic-cowboy-butter-pasta-bowtie-chicken/