introduction

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a simple, creamy pasta with seasoned chicken and butter-forward sauce. It cooks fast and uses common ingredients. If you want a quick family meal with big flavor, this works well. You can also swap chicken for leftover rotisserie meat like in 25 genius ways to use rotisserie chicken.

why make this recipe

You should make this recipe because it is quick, tasty, and filling. The sauce is rich but easy to make on the stove. It feels fancy but uses few steps and pantry spices. It is great for busy weeknights and for feeding a crowd.

how to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until they are browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
Stir in the heavy cream and let simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
Gradually add Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.
Return chicken to the skillet and toss to combine. Add lemon juice and parsley, stirring to mix.
In a separate pot, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add it to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes to ensure the pasta is well combined and heated through.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.

Ingredients :

500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
340 g (12 oz) fettuccine or pasta of choice
Juice of half a lemon

how to serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Serve this pasta hot from the stove. Add extra Parmesan and parsley on top. A green side salad or steamed veggies go well with it. For a lighter meal, serve with a simple lemony salad or roasted vegetables. For ideas on side chicken dishes and combos, see 7 quick easy chicken meals.

how to store Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Let the dish cool to room temperature before storing. Put leftovers in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce. You can also freeze for up to 2 months, but texture may change.

tips to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Cut chicken into even pieces so it cooks the same.
Do not overheat cream; simmer gently to avoid splitting.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for smooth melting.
Taste and adjust salt and lemon at the end.
If sauce is too thick, add a bit of chicken broth or pasta water.
For crispier chicken, sear in a hot pan without crowding.

variation (if any)

Swap fettuccine for penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti.
Use shrimp or leftover rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken. For a crispy option, coat chicken lightly in flour before searing.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra veg.
Make it smoky by adding more smoked paprika or a touch of chipotle powder.

FAQs

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Yes. Thighs are juicy and work well. Cut them into bite pieces and cook until done.

Q: Can I make this without heavy cream?
A: You can use half-and-half, but the sauce will be thinner. For a creamy texture, add a little flour or reduce more.

Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: It is mildly spicy from the cayenne. Reduce or skip the cayenne to make it milder.

Q: Can I prepare parts ahead?
A: Yes. Cook chicken and make sauce a bit ahead. Reheat and toss with freshly cooked pasta.

Q: Do I need to use fresh parsley?
A: Fresh parsley gives brightness, but dried herbs can work in a pinch.

Conclusion

For a similar recipe idea and more step-by-step notes, see this version of Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine on I Am Homesteader: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – I Am Homesteader.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Author: kaoucheegmail-com
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A simple, creamy pasta dish with seasoned chicken and a rich butter-forward sauce, perfect for quick family meals.

Ingredients

Scale

500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
340 g (12 oz) fettuccine or pasta of choice
Juice of half a lemon

Instructions

Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
Stir in heavy cream and let simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
Gradually add Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.
Return chicken to the skillet and toss to combine. Add lemon juice and parsley, stirring to mix.
In a separate pot, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add it to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes to ensure the pasta is well combined and heated through.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.

Notes

For a lighter meal, serve with a simple lemony salad or roasted vegetables. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 500
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: pasta, chicken, creamy, quick meal, family dinner