Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 300 g pasta (penne, fusilli, or preferred type)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, toss them with smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and dried parsley until evenly coated.
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Boil the pasta: In a separate pot, boil salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Make the cowboy butter sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and a bit more dried parsley.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and simmer for 3–4 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to slightly reduce.
- Combine ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat. Add the drained pasta, tossing everything together so the sauce evenly coats all ingredients.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and stir until melted and creamy. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Garnish and serve: Finish with chopped fresh parsley and an extra pinch of Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For added vegetables, stir in spinach, roasted peppers, or mushrooms during the final steps.
To reduce heat, decrease the red pepper flakes or omit them.
Use turkey bacon crumbles or grilled chicken ham slices as extra toppings if desired.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20