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+ servings
recipe image of a realistic top down mise en place shot showing chicken breast tenderloins pasta rotini linguine unsalted butter garlic heavy cream onion lemon juice Worcestershire sauce Dijon mustard paprika cayenne pepper red pepper flakes parsley Parmesan cheese spinach bell peppers shallots chives arranged on a white marble kitchen counter with healthy clear glass bowls and rustic brown wooden kitchen sets under soft diffuse daylight
Benjamin

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Capture the bold, smoky essence of Texas barbecue in this velvety pasta dish, where zesty garlic-infused cowboy butter transforms a simple chicken pasta into a gourmet weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade
  • 1 1/2 lbs Chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper ground
  • 1 lb Pasta penne or rigatoni
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
Cowboy Butter Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Salted butter
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 Lemon zested and juiced
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
  • 1 pinch Cayenne
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tbsp Fresh chives chopped
  • 1/2 cup Pasta water reserved from cooking pasta

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet,
  • - Whisk
  • tongs

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Add to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Whisk in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and cayenne.
  4. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it starts to thicken. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  5. Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta back to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  6. Stir in the chopped parsley and chives. Toss once more and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 40g

Notes

For extra heat, double the red pepper flakes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen the sauce.
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