Low Carb Cowboy Butter Lemon Chicken (Print Version)

Tender chicken and low-carb pasta in zesty cowboy butter sauce with lemon, herbs, and gentle heat.

# 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:

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, ensuring even coating on all sides.
03 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 4 tbsp butter and minced garlic to the skillet. 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 chicken to the skillet, add cooked pasta, and toss to coat everything evenly in the cowboy butter sauce. Heat through for 2-3 minutes.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cowboy butter sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a fancy restaurant
  • Low carb pasta means you can enjoy comfort food without the carb crash
  • One pan does most of the work leaving you with minimal cleanup
02 -
  • Low carb pasta can sometimes get gummy if overcooked so watch it closely
  • The sauce will thicken slightly as it stands so do not worry if it looks thin at first
  • Room temperature butter melts more evenly but cold butter works fine if you are in a rush
03 -
  • Zest your lemon before juicing it to make your life easier
  • Grate the garlic on a microplane for a smoother sauce texture
  • Have all your ingredients measured before you start cooking the sauce comes together fast

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