Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: Easy Creamy Weeknight Dinner

This cowboy butter chicken pasta brings bold Western flavors to your dinner table in just 30 minutes! The creamy garlic butter sauce infused with herbs and a hint of spice coats tender chicken and pasta perfectly. It’s a complete one-pan meal that the whole family will love, featuring that signature cowboy butter flavor that’s both rich and comforting.

If you enjoy creamy pasta dishes, you’ll also love our creamy chicken penne for another quick dinner option.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine work best)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried chives
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of the smoked paprika.

Step 3: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 4: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 5: Add chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, remaining smoked paprika, cayenne, parsley, chives, and onion powder.

Step 6: Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce begins to thicken. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.

Step 7: Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy cowboy butter sauce.

Step 8: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

For another delicious one-pan chicken dinner, try our garlic Parmesan chicken potatoes.

Expert Tips

• Use fresh herbs if available – they’ll elevate the flavor even more
• Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy
• Reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick
• Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the spice level for your family’s preference
• Serve with a side of sesame green beans for a complete meal

FAQ

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components separately and combine when ready to serve. The sauce may thicken when refrigerated, so add a splash of milk or cream when reheating.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?
You can use half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce won’t be as rich and creamy. For a dairy-free option, try coconut cream.

How spicy is this dish?
The cayenne provides a mild heat that most families enjoy. You can reduce or omit it entirely for a milder version, or increase it for more heat.

If you’re looking for more creamy pasta inspiration, check out our creamy Tuscan salmon for another restaurant-quality dinner option.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: Easy Creamy Weeknight Dinner

This cowboy butter chicken pasta brings bold Western flavors to your dinner table in just 30 minutes with a creamy garlic butter sauce infused with herbs and a hint of spice. It’s a complete one-pan meal featuring tender chicken and pasta coated in a rich, comforting sauce that the whole family will love.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine work best)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried chives
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method

 

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of the smoked paprika.
3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, remaining smoked paprika, cayenne, parsley, chives, and onion powder.
6. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce begins to thicken. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
7. Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy cowboy butter sauce.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh herbs if available for better flavor, don’t overcook the chicken to keep it tender, reserve pasta water to thin sauce if needed, adjust cayenne pepper to control spice level