Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta (Printer-Friendly Layout)

Juicy chicken strips and pasta tossed in a rich, buttery garlic sauce with a kick of heat for the ultimate comfort meal.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
02 - 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into strips

→ Fats and Aromatics

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 tablespoon butter
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sauce Components

11 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
12 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Sear for 6-7 minutes until fully cooked and golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
04 - Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce begins to thicken. If needed, add reserved pasta water to adjust consistency. Optionally, add lemon juice for brightness.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet, add the cooked pasta, and toss everything together until well coated in the sauce and heated through. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
06 - Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

# Extra Tips and Tricks:

01 - You can use any pasta shape—short cuts like penne hold the sauce well, but long noodles like spaghetti are equally delicious.
02 - Adjust spice level by modifying the amount of chili flakes or adding cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra heat.
03 - For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream.
04 - Garlic is essential to the distinctive cowboy butter flavor profile.
05 - Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, making this ideal for meal prep.

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