Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful

Short, Catchy Intro:

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is the kind of meal that looks fancy enough to impress your friends but is lazy-chef friendly enough for a Wednesday night win. If you want a shortcut or extra tips, check out our Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta recipe for more ideas and variations.

This recipe mixes buttery, garlicky goodness with tender chicken and creamy pasta. It will make your kitchen smell like success and your dinner table look like you actually planned ahead. Which, let us be honest, is half the battle.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Okay listen. Why is this recipe awesome? First, it hits all the comfort food boxes. It is creamy, garlicky, and a little spicy. It is also fast. You can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. No slow simmering forever. No mysterious steps that require a culinary degree.

It is idiot proof. Seriously. If you can stir, you can make this. The sauce forgives tiny timing mistakes. You can adjust thickness with reserved pasta water like a pro. Want less heat? Cut the red pepper flakes. Want more umami? Add extra Parmesan.

Also, if you want just the chicken without pasta, try the chicken-only take for a lighter meal. For that version see Cowboy Butter Chicken. FYI this whole dish screams weeknight hero.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Pasta of your choice, for example penne or fettuccine 12 ounces
• Chicken breast 1 pound boneless and skinless cut into bite-sized pieces
• Butter 4 tablespoons unsalted recommended for better flavor control
• Garlic 4 cloves minced
• Onion 1 medium diced
• Heavy cream 1 cup or substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option
• Chicken broth 1 cup low-sodium preferred
• Parmesan cheese 1 cup grated
• Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon
• Red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon adjust to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish optional

Yes the ingredient list is short and friendly. Keep the cheese grated fresh if you can. Fresh Parmesan makes a big difference. No shame in buying a wedge and grating it yourself.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 🔵 Cook the Pasta
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente usually 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set it aside.

2. 🔵 Sauté Chicken
   In a large skillet melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook about 6 to 8 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.

3. 🔵 Create the Sauce
   In the same skillet add the remaining butter then sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent about 3 to 4 minutes. This step infuses the butter with flavor and makes your sauce smell irresistible.

4. 🔵 Add Cream and Broth
   Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth then stir to combine. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. If it seems too thick use reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

5. 🔵 Combine Pasta and Chicken
   Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Taste and adjust with extra salt and pepper if needed. Toss everything well so each piece gets coated and let it cook 2 more minutes to meld the flavors.

6. 🔵 Serve
   Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve warm and watch people swoon.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the reserved pasta water. Rookie move. That starchy water is magic for adjusting sauce consistency.
• Overcooking the chicken. Slice it small and watch it. Cooked chicken should stay juicy not rubbery.
• Using pre-grated Parmesan from the bag for everything. It melts okay but fresh-grated tastes worlds better.
• Letting the sauce boil hard. Keep it at a gentle simmer so the cream does not split.
• Forgetting to season. Taste as you go. Salt is your friend and helps the flavors pop.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No heavy cream? Use full fat coconut milk for a lighter dairy-free version. It changes the flavor a bit but still creamy.
• Want more veg? Toss in spinach, cherry tomatoes, or sliced mushrooms when you add the cream. They cook fast and add texture.
• Out of chicken breasts? Use thighs. They stay juicy and add richness. I personally love thighs for flavor.
• Need a slow cooker version? Try a crockpot approach that keeps things low effort and slow. For a crockpot take see Creamy Chicken Pasta Crockpot for ideas and timing.

Cooking is not a cult of rules. Swap things based on what you have and what you like. IMO experimenting is half the fun.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
   Well technically yes but why hurt your soul like that. Butter gives flavor and richness that margarine tries to fake.

2. Can I use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken?
   Absolutely. Add it at the end just to heat through so it does not dry out.

3. Can I make this gluten-free?
   Yes use your favorite gluten-free pasta. The sauce works the same. Just check cooking times.

4. Can I freeze leftovers?
   You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce but the texture of the pasta may change. I recommend freezing portions without the pasta and adding freshly cooked pasta when reheating.

5. How spicy is this?
   The red pepper flakes add a mild kick. Adjust them or leave them out if you do not want heat.

6. Can I make this ahead for a party?
   You can prep chicken and sauce but toss with pasta just before serving for best texture.

7. What makes it Cowboy Butter?
   The name comes from the bold buttery garlic sauce around the seasoned chicken. No actual cowboy required.

Final Thoughts

You made it this far so you clearly care about dinner and flavor. This recipe gives big comfort with minimal drama. It scales up easily for a group and stores well for lunches. Remember to taste and adjust as you go. Reserve that pasta water and use it like a secret weapon. Now go impress someone or yourself with this buttery, garlicky pasta. You have earned it.

Conclusion

If you want another take or a slightly different noodle vibe check out Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine from I Am Homesteader for inspiration and variations.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

---

• Author: admin
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten-Free (with pasta substitute)

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

A quick and creamy pasta dish combining buttery, garlicky goodness with tender chicken, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 ounces pasta of your choice (penne or fettuccine)
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for a lighter option)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

---

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set it aside.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Add the remaining butter to the skillet. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (3-4 minutes).
4. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stir to combine, and add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes until thickened; use reserved pasta water to adjust consitency as needed.
5. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, toss well, and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, allowing it to melt, and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm.

Notes

Freshly grated Parmesan significantly improves flavor. Reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: pasta, chicken, creamy, quick dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food