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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: Easy Family Skillet Meal

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz dry penne or rotini pasta cooked al dente
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast diced
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste for spiciness
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 0.25 cups fresh parsley chopped

Instructions
 

  • Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the diced chicken breast, season with salt and pepper, and pan-sear for 6-8 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Whisk the heavy cream into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
  • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the reserved chicken.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing well to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.