Go Back
–+ servings
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Dish

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Dish

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is packed with bold, buttery, and garlicky flavors, combined with juicy chicken and a creamy, spicy sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food, bringing together tender pasta, rich cowboy butter, and zesty seasonings for an irresistible dish!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Comfort Food
Servings 5

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Medium pot
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board & knife

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 2 chicken breasts sliced into thin strips
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to spice preference
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
  • ½ teaspoon chopped thyme
  • ½ teaspoon chopped rosemary

For the Pasta:

  • 12 ounces fettuccine or pasta of choice
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For Garnish:

  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Extra Parmesan cheese
  • Lemon wedges optional

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions.
  • Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Cook the Chicken:

  • Season chicken strips with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce:

  • In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Let simmer for 2 minutes.

Make the Creamy Pasta Sauce:

  • Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
  • Let simmer for 3-4 minutes, then mix in Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.
  • Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water little by little.

Combine & Serve:

  • Return the chicken to the skillet and toss with the pasta.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
  • Serve warm with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Spicier Kick? Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
  • Extra Creamy? Stir in 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.
  • Lighter Version? Swap heavy cream for half-and-half.
  • Protein Swap? Use shrimp, steak, or tofu instead of chicken.
Keyword cowboy butter, creamy pasta, garlic butter chicken, spicy pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!