Cowboy Butter Chicken Skillet - Baby-Led Weaning Adaptation

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 4 (6- to 8-oz.) chicken breast
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 medium shallot
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 4 tsp. mustard
• 1 tbsp. horseradish
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 3 tbsp. chives
• 2 tbsp. parsley
• 2 tsp. thyme

finger food Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 4 (6- to 8-oz.) chicken breast
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 medium shallot
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 4 tsp. mustard
• 1 tbsp. horseradish
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 3 tbsp. chives
• 2 tbsp. parsley
• 2 tsp. thyme

finger food Instructions

1. CHOP the **shallot**, **garlic**, **chives**, **parsley**, and **thyme**.
2. [BABY PREP] SLICE one **chicken breast** into finger-width strips (about the size of two adult fingers) for the baby. Keep the remaining chicken breasts whole for the family.
3. [BABY PREP] HEAT **extra-virgin olive oil** in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the family's whole chicken breasts with half of the **kosher salt** and **black pepper**. Season the baby's chicken strips with a pinch of **smoked paprika**, **parsley**, and **thyme** (no salt).
4. [BABY PREP] ADD all chicken to the skillet, keeping the baby's unseasoned strips on one side and the family's seasoned breasts on the other to avoid cross-contamination. Cook the baby's strips for 4-5 minutes per side and the family's breasts for 7-8 minutes per side, until both reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. [PULL POINT] REMOVE the baby's cooked chicken strips from the skillet and set aside to cool. Transfer the family's chicken to a separate plate.
6. REDUCE heat to medium and melt **unsalted butter** in the skillet. Add chopped **shallot** and **garlic** and cook, stirring, just until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
7. ADD **low-sodium chicken broth**, **Dijon mustard**, **horseradish**, remaining **smoked paprika**, **chives**, **parsley**, and **thyme** to the skillet. Whisk to combine and season with the remaining **kosher salt** and **black pepper**.
8. BRING the mixture to a low simmer. Return the family's chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly reduced, 8 to 10 minutes.
9. [BABY PREP] ALLOW the baby's chicken strips to cool completely. Serve them as graspable finger foods, ensuring they are soft enough to shred easily with gentle pressure.
10. SERVE the family's chicken with the cowboy butter sauce poured over, sprinkled with extra **chives**.