Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dinner featuring tender seasoned chicken, penne or rotini pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. Made with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and fresh herbs, this easy chicken pasta delivers a delicious balance of buttery, tangy, savory, and mildly spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Sauce
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 tablespoon chives
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the penne or rotini according to the package directions until tender but still firm. Drain and set aside.
- Cut the chicken breasts into evenly sized, bite-sized pieces. Toss with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the seasoned chicken until golden and cooked through, turning as needed. Ensure the thickest pieces reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer the chicken to a clean plate.
- Reduce the skillet heat to medium or medium-low. Add the butter and allow it to melt. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the seasonings are evenly incorporated into the butter.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Warm gently, then gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the chopped parsley and chives.
- Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the sauce. Warm briefly over low heat, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces to help it cook uniformly.
- Keep the heat moderate after adding the cream and Parmesan to maintain a smooth sauce.
- If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a small splash of water or milk to loosen it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 900 kcal
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken pasta, creamy cowboy butter pasta, garlic butter chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, creamy chicken penne, cowboy butter sauce pasta