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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: Easy One-Pan Weeknight Dinner

This cowboy butter chicken pasta is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce all cooked in one pan. Ready in just 30 minutes, this family-friendly recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, and dried thyme to the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Break pasta in half and add to the skillet, making sure it's submerged in the liquid. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
  6. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For extra tender chicken, pound the chicken breast to even thickness before cutting into pieces. Adjust cayenne pepper to taste - reduce to 1/4 tsp for milder or add red pepper flakes for extra heat. For creamier sauce, add additional cream or cream cheese at the end.