This creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta is an easy, flavor-packed dinner made with juicy seasoned chicken, tender rotini, and the most delicious homemade cowboy butter pasta sauce. The rich sauce is loaded with garlic, butter, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, lemon, herbs, and just enough red pepper flakes for a little kick.
If you love a quick, creamy chicken dinner, this cowboy butter pasta with chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and tastes like something you would order at a restaurant. The buttery Parmesan sauce clings to every piece of pasta and makes this an easy weeknight meal your family will ask for again and again.
For more easy pasta dinners, try my Bruschetta Chicken Pasta, Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Pasta, and Creamy Dijon Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach.
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Why This Cowboy Butter Pasta Recipe Works
- It is an easy cowboy butter pasta recipe ready in about 30 minutes.
- Juicy seasoned chicken makes it a filling family dinner.
- The creamy cowboy butter pasta sauce is rich with garlic, Parmesan, lemon, Dijon, and herbs.
- Rotini catches every bit of the buttery sauce.
- It is simple enough for a weeknight but special enough to serve guests.
What is Cowboy Butter Sauce?
Cowboy butter pasta sauce starts with the same bold flavors that make classic cowboy butter so good: melted butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, herbs, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. For this creamy cowboy butter chicken recipe, heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan turn that buttery mixture into a silky sauce that coats the chicken and pasta beautifully.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, 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 chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne, rotini, or fettuccine
- Reserved pasta water as needed
How to Make Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
This cowboy butter chicken pasta recipe is easy to make in one skillet while the pasta cooks. Brown the chicken first, then build the creamy cowboy butter sauce in the same pan for extra flavor.
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2
Season the chicken with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 3
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Remove to a plate.
Step 4
Reduce heat to medium. Melt the butter in the same skillet.
Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5
Whisk in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
Step 6
Pour in the heavy cream and stir until smooth.
Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into a silky sauce.
Step 7
Return the chicken to the skillet.
Add the cooked pasta and toss until completely coated.
If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.
Step 8
Stir in fresh parsley and chives.
Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper.
Tips for the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken
For tender cowboy butter chicken, cook the bite-sized chicken pieces until golden and just cooked through before setting them aside. They will finish warming through in the creamy cowboy butter pasta sauce at the end, which keeps them juicy instead of dry.
Freshly grated Parmesan is important here because it melts smoothly into the sauce. If your cowboy butter pasta sauce gets too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until it coats the rotini perfectly.
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Tips for the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
- Freshly grate your Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
- Don’t overcook the chicken or it may become dry.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Fresh herbs make a huge difference in flavor.
- Add extra garlic if you’re a garlic lover.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon for extra brightness.
Easy Cowboy Butter Pasta Variations
Make creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta spicier: Add extra red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
Add bacon: Crispy bacon gives this cowboy butter pasta an extra smoky, salty bite.
Use a different pasta: Rotini, penne, cavatappi, bowties, rigatoni, or fettuccine all work well with cowboy butter pasta sauce.
Add vegetables: Stir in baby spinach, sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, or roasted red peppers.
Try another protein: Replace the chicken with shrimp or sliced smoked sausage for an easy twist on this cowboy butter pasta recipe.
What to Serve with Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
The Best Quick and Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
This creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta combines juicy seasoned chicken, garlic, butter, Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, Dijon mustard, lemon, and tender pasta for an easy 30-minute dinner that’s packed with bold flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 20 MINUTES
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 SERVINGS 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: STOVETOP
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Season chicken with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook chicken in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet.
- Melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
- Stir in Dijon, lemon juice, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth.
- Return chicken to skillet.
- Toss in cooked pasta.
- Add pasta water if needed.
- Stir in parsley and chives.
- Serve with extra Parmesan and cracked pepper.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating
Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of cream or milk until heated through.
Freezing
While you can freeze it, cream sauces tend to separate after thawing. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh.
FAQ Questions
What is cowboy butter chicken?
Cowboy butter chicken is seasoned chicken cooked with the bold garlic butter, Dijon, lemon, herb, and spice flavors found in cowboy butter. In this recipe, those flavors become a creamy Parmesan sauce for chicken and pasta.
What does cowboy butter pasta sauce taste like?
Cowboy butter pasta sauce is buttery, garlicky, creamy, slightly tangy from Dijon and lemon, and lightly spicy from red pepper flakes. Parmesan makes it rich and savory.
Can I make cowboy butter pasta with chicken ahead of time?
Yes. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, then reheat gently with a splash of cream, milk, or pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Is cowboy butter chicken pasta spicy?
It has a mild kick from the red pepper flakes. Reduce or leave them out for a milder cowboy butter chicken pasta recipe.
Make It Your Own
- Stir in baby spinach before serving.
- Add crispy bacon for extra smoky flavor.
- Mix in sautéed mushrooms.
- Sprinkle with extra fresh herbs.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan.
- Finish with cracked black pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
Final Thoughts
This easy cowboy butter chicken pasta is everything you want in a quick comfort-food dinner: juicy chicken, tender pasta, and a creamy cowboy butter pasta sauce packed with garlic, Parmesan, lemon, and herbs. It is rich enough to feel special, easy enough for a busy weeknight, and one of those chicken pasta recipes everyone will want seconds of.
