Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – Creamy, Flavorful Dinner

ByBella Skye
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Special Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta takes everything you love about rich garlic butter sauces and gives it a spicy, zesty upgrade. This dish combines tender chicken pieces tossed in creamy, buttery sauce spiked with fresh garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, herbs, and a touch of chili. When folded into warm pasta, it creates a meal that’s comforting yet bold, elegant yet easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

More Dinner Ideas

Inspired by the famous cowboy butter sauce usually served with steak bites or grilled meats, this pasta version takes those same flavors and brings them to a complete meal. The sauce clings perfectly to each piece of pasta, coating it in a silky layer of flavor that’s garlicky, slightly tangy, and a little spicy.

People love Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta because it satisfies on every level. The buttery garlic sauce has depth from fresh herbs and lemon juice, while the chicken adds heartiness. Every bite has the warmth of garlic butter steak flavors, but the pasta makes it complete comfort food. Whether you enjoy it on its own or with a slice of crusty bread, this dish turns an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is not just another creamy pasta. It’s a flavor-packed experience that feels gourmet but is easy to make. Here’s why it stands out:

  • It uses fresh garlic recipes and simple pantry ingredients to create complex flavor.
  • The cowboy butter base can also be used with steak bites, seafood, or vegetables.
  • It’s one of the most delicious crockpot recipes or stovetop dinners you can make in under an hour.
  • The lemon, Dijon, and butter create a balance of richness and brightness that never feels heavy.
  • It’s flexible enough to serve for family meals, special occasions, or meal prep.

The combination of butter, herbs, garlic, and chicken gives you that steakhouse-inspired taste at home, without needing a grill or a slow cooker dinner setup.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Preparation and Cooking Time, also Serving

  • Preparation Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Servings: 4 generous portions

This dish works great as a standalone main course or with sides like garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a light salad.

Ingredients

  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne works best)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional for more spice)
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup heavy cream

Substitution Notes

  • Replace chicken breast with chicken thighs for juicier texture.
  • You can substitute olive oil for half the butter if you prefer a lighter version.
  • For a dairy-free option, use coconut milk instead of cream.
  • Add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra color and nutrition.
  • Swap the chicken for shrimp or steak bites for a different protein twist.
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Step-by-Step Instructions

creamy fettuccine alfredo pasta vector 58598038

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Season chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of butter. Sear the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

creamy fettuccine alfredo pasta vector 58598038

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside. This water helps the sauce emulsify later for a silky texture.

creamy fettuccine alfredo pasta vector 58598038

Step 3: Build the Cowboy Butter Sauce

In the same skillet used for chicken, lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining butter and minced garlic. Let the garlic cook gently for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, crushed red pepper flakes, and onion powder. The key here is balance allow the butter to foam slightly and mix with the lemon and mustard to create a glossy, aromatic base. Add chicken broth and stir to deglaze any bits stuck to the pan.

creamy fettuccine alfredo pasta vector 58598038

Step 4: Add the Cream and Combine

Once the sauce starts to simmer, add the heavy cream and whisk gently to blend. Allow it to thicken slightly for about 2 to 3 minutes. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, stirring so it gets evenly coated in the sauce. Add in the pasta, tossing to coat. If needed, pour a little reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.

creamy fettuccine alfredo pasta vector 58598038

Step 5: Add Cheese and Herbs

Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the pan, stirring until melted and creamy. Toss in the chopped parsley for freshness. The sauce should cling beautifully to the pasta, with the perfect balance of richness and spice.

creamy fettuccine alfredo pasta vector 58598038

Step 6: Adjust and Serve

Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add extra lemon juice if you prefer more tang or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. Once satisfied, serve hot, topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a bit more parsley.

How to Serve

Serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta immediately while the sauce is still glossy and smooth. It pairs wonderfully with:

  • Warm garlic bread or buttered baguette slices
  • Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or zucchini
  • A crisp green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
  • A side of au jus gravy for dipping if serving steak bites alongside

For plating, use shallow white bowls or plates to showcase the creamy sauce. Add a twist of lemon zest or a parsley leaf on top for a professional finish.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Additional Tips

  • Always use fresh garlic instead of jarred for the best flavor.
  • Do not overcook the pasta keep it slightly firm so it holds texture when mixed with sauce.
  • Sear the chicken well to get that slight crust which adds flavor depth.
  • If the sauce separates, whisk in a small splash of hot pasta water to bring it back together.
  • For a smokier version, stir in a spoonful of garlic butter steak drippings or a dash of smoked paprika.
  • To make this into one of your easy slow cooker recipes, cook the sauce ingredients first, then add chicken and pasta at the end to keep them tender.

Recipe Variations

  • Cowboy Butter Shrimp Pasta: Replace chicken with shrimp and cook for only 2 minutes per side before adding to the sauce.
  • Steak Cowboy Butter Pasta: Use seared steak bites instead of chicken for a richer, meatier version inspired by garlic beef.
  • Crockpot Cowboy Butter Chicken: Combine sauce ingredients and chicken in a slow cooker, cook on low for 4 hours, then stir in pasta at the end.

These variations keep the same cowboy butter flavors but let you enjoy them in new ways from easy crockpot dinners to elevated steakhouse-style meals.

Freezing and Storage

  • Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth to restore the sauce texture.
  • Freezing: Freeze in sealed containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop.
  • Meal Prep Tip: Keep the pasta and sauce separate when storing to prevent over-softening.

Nutritional Information

Approximate values per serving:

  • Calories: 520
  • Protein: 38g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fat: 24g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sodium: 630mg

Values may vary depending on the type of pasta and butter used.

Final Words

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is more than just another creamy pasta recipe it’s a bold, flavor-forward meal that combines the richness of garlic butter steak flavors with the comfort of pasta. It’s one of those recipes that feels indulgent but is easy enough for everyday cooking.

This dish brings out the best in simple ingredients. The butter and garlic form the foundation, while lemon, Dijon, and herbs lift everything into a perfectly balanced sauce. It’s great for date nights, family dinners, or meal prep since it reheats beautifully without losing flavor.

Once you try this recipe, it’ll become one of your favorite go-to easy crockpot dinners or stovetop meals. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing guests, Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta delivers that restaurant-quality flavor at home creamy, garlicky, and full of life.

FAQ’s

Yes, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version.

You can use rotisserie chicken, but reduce the cooking time since it only needs heating through.

Fettuccine, penne, or linguine work well because they hold sauce nicely.

Yes, cook the sauce base first, then add chicken and cook on low for 4 hours. Add pasta near the end.

It pairs perfectly with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a light salad.

Absolutely. The same sauce tastes amazing with garlic beef, shrimp, or roasted potatoes.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – Creamy, Flavorful Dinner
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – Creamy, Flavorful Dinner

Recipe by Bella SkyeCourse: Dinner Recipes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes
Calories

520

kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes

  • 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne works best)

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • 6 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional for more spice)

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • ½ cup chicken broth

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

Directions

  • Season chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of butter. Sear the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside. This water helps the sauce emulsify later for a silky texture.
  • In the same skillet used for chicken, lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining butter and minced garlic. Let the garlic cook gently for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, crushed red pepper flakes, and onion powder. The key here is balance allow the butter to foam slightly and mix with the lemon and mustard to create a glossy, aromatic base. Add chicken broth and stir to deglaze any bits stuck to the pan.
  • Once the sauce starts to simmer, add the heavy cream and whisk gently to blend. Allow it to thicken slightly for about 2 to 3 minutes. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, stirring so it gets evenly coated in the sauce. Add in the pasta, tossing to coat. If needed, pour a little reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
  • Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the pan, stirring until melted and creamy. Toss in the chopped parsley for freshness. The sauce should cling beautifully to the pasta, with the perfect balance of richness and spice.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add extra lemon juice if you prefer more tang or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. Once satisfied, serve hot, topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a bit more parsley.

Notes

  • Always use fresh garlic instead of jarred for the best flavor.
  • Do not overcook the pasta keep it slightly firm so it holds texture when mixed with sauce.
  • Sear the chicken well to get that slight crust which adds flavor depth.
  • If the sauce separates, whisk in a small splash of hot pasta water to bring it back together.
  • For a smokier version, stir in a spoonful of garlic butter steak drippings or a dash of smoked paprika.
  • To make this into one of your easy slow cooker recipes, cook the sauce ingredients first, then add chicken and pasta at the end to keep them tender.

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