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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A delicious and creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Seasoning
  • 2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts Choose fresh products.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
Sauce Ingredients
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Adjust to taste for spiciness.
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped For garnishing.
  • 1 tablespoon chives, chopped For garnishing.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with coconut cream for dairy-free.
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese
Pasta Ingredients
  • 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, reserving ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Seasoning and Cooking Chicken
  1. Season the chicken breasts with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes on each side.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest. In the same pan, melt the butter and sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  3. Lower the heat and add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, toss in drained pasta, and add reserved pasta water until desired texture is reached.
  2. Stir in chopped parsley and chives right before serving.
Serving
  1. Plate the creamy chicken pasta, sprinkle with extra Parmesan and cracked pepper, and serve.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for about 2 months. Reheat gently to maintain creaminess.