Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – Creamy One Pan Dinner Recipe

Get ready to wrangle up some serious flavor with this incredible Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta! This one-pan wonder combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce that will have your whole family coming back for seconds. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.

What makes this dish so special is the cowboy butter sauce – a luxurious blend of garlic, herbs, and spices that creates a bold, comforting sauce that coats every bite perfectly. The best part? Everything cooks in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze. If you love garlic butter chicken pasta, you’ll adore this flavor-packed variation.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine work well)
• 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 black pepper
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Add pasta to the skillet, ensuring it’s mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.

Step 4: Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, and black pepper. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Season with salt to taste and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

Expert Tips

For the best results, use a good quality Parmesan cheese that you grate yourself – it melts better and creates a smoother sauce. If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the cayenne pepper gradually. This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad or some garlic Parmesan roasted green beans.

Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to refresh the sauce. For another fantastic one-pan meal, try our creamy salmon pasta recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of pasta? Absolutely! Penne, fettuccine, rigatoni, or even bowtie pasta all work well in this recipe. Just adjust cooking time according to package directions.

How can I make this dish less spicy? Simply reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. The smoked paprika provides flavor without much heat, so you’ll still enjoy the cowboy butter flavor profile.

Can I make this ahead of time? While best served fresh, you can prepare the components ahead and combine just before serving. The sauce may thicken upon standing, so add a little extra cream or broth when reheating.

For more comforting pasta dishes that the whole family will love, check out our classic tuna noodle casserole or explore other comfort chicken pasta recipes on our site.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – Creamy One Pan Dinner Recipe

This one-pan cowboy butter chicken pasta combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich creamy garlic butter sauce for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. The cowboy butter sauce features garlic, herbs, and spices that create a bold, comforting sauce that coats every bite perfectly.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine work well)
• 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 black pepper
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method

 

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
3. Add pasta to the skillet, ensuring it’s mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
4. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, and black pepper. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Season with salt to taste and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Use good quality Parmesan cheese that you grate yourself for better melting and smoother sauce. For spicier dish, increase cayenne pepper gradually. Leftovers store well for up to 3 days and reheat with splash of chicken broth to refresh sauce.