Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken and low-carb pasta in zesty cowboy butter sauce with lemon, herbs, and a touch of heat. A satisfying keto-friendly meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
→ Low-Carb Pasta
05 - 8 oz low-carb bowtie pasta (shirataki, lupin flour, or high-protein pasta)
→ Cowboy Butter Sauce
06 - 6 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
09 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
11 - 1 tsp dried parsley
12 - 1 tsp dried chives
13 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
14 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Garnish
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Lemon wedges for serving
# How To Make:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook low-carb pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
02 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
03 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp of the butter. Add the chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add the remaining 4 tbsp butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
05 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, parsley, chives, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
06 - Return the chicken to the skillet, add the cooked pasta, and toss to coat everything evenly in the cowboy butter sauce. Heat through for 2–3 minutes.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cowboy butter sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something that simmered all afternoon
- Low-carb pasta has come so far that nobody at my table noticed the swap until I mentioned it
- You get that rich restaurant-style finish without leaving your kitchen or breaking your diet
02 -
- Low-carb pasta can get gummy if overcooked, so set your timer for the minimum recommended time and test it early
- The sauce will continue to thicken as it stands off the heat, so don't worry if it looks slightly thin in the pan
- Cowboy butter reheats beautifully, but add a splash of water when warming it up because the butter can separate
03 -
- Room temperature butter melts more smoothly and creates a silkier sauce than cold butter straight from the fridge
- Grate your lemon zest before juing the lemon—it's nearly impossible to zest a juiced lemon