Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta 

A Spicy, Buttery, and Daring Dish to Try

If you're hooked on creamy, buttery, and spicy foods with a big flavor kick, then Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta will soon become your new best friend. Succulently juicy chicken is paired with rich garlicky cowboy butter sauce and perfectly tossed together with the ideal al dente pasta. It's rich comfort food with a daring, want-to-wipe-the-plate-clean flavor.

What is Cowboy Butter?

Cowboy butter is a wizard sauce that's been around for a good while, originally a dip for grilled fish and meat. It's a blend of melted butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, fresh herbs, and a touch of red pepper flakes for heat. Flavors are loud—garlicky, tangy, spicy, and rich—all mixed into one.

But why not go a step further and serve it as a dip? When you combine it with pasta, it's a richly silky, taste-filled sauce that coats each piece of penne or spaghetti. Add some seasoned chicken to it, and you have a steakhouse-quality restaurant dish.

Why You Need to Make This Dish

Fast and Simple: Although it's restaurant-style dinner, Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta takes less than 45 minutes to prepare.

Flavor Blast: With the spicy, garlicky butter and the juicy chicken, every bite is loaded with robust flavors.

Rich but Not Fancy: It's rich enough for a special occasion but easy enough for a weeknight meal.

Completely Customizable: You can control the heat, swap the protein, or use a different pasta based on your desire.

Ingredients You'll Need

For Cowboy Butter Sauce:

½ cup melted unsalted butter

4 minced garlic cloves

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste for heat)

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon honey

1 chopped tablespoon fresh parsley

1 chopped teaspoon fresh chives

Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into strips

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

For the Pasta:

12 ounces pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne works best)

1 teaspoon salt (for the water used for boiling)

½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Extra chopped parsley for garnish

Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Place a large pot of salted water on the stovetop and bring it to a boil.

Add pasta and cook per package instructions to al dente.

Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.

Let the pasta rest while you prepare the remainder of the dish.

Step 2: Prepare the Cowboy Butter Sauc

Combine melted butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, honey, parsley, chives, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

Whisk until well mixed. Taste and season accordingly.

Set aside while cooking the chicken.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

Combine salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Spread the spice mixture evenly on chicken.

Olive oil and butter need to be heated in a large pan on medium-high heat.

Place the chicken strips and sauté 3-4 minutes on each side or until cooked through and golden brown.

Take out the chicken from the pan and keep aside.

Step 4: Bring Everything Together

Add the prepared cowboy butter sauce in the same skillet and heat for approximately 30 seconds until aromatic.

Lower heat and add cooked pasta into the skillet.

Mix everything together, and add a little reserved pasta water at a time until the pasta is well coated.

Add heavy cream (if using) and stir for extra richness.

Add cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss until combined.

Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and toss again.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and add extra seasoning if needed.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the chicken and pasta.

Garnish with extra chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra brightness.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Best Side Dishes to Serve with Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

This is plenty rich as it stands, but to turn it into a meal, add the following:

Garlic Bread: You can never go wrong with more butter and garlic.

Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts for a pop of color.

Easy Green Salad: A vinaigrette dressing and fresh salad cut through the richness.

Tips for the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Don't Overcook the Chicken: Since the chicken will be tossed back into the hot pasta, it's better to undercook it so that it's still juicy.

Adjust the Heat: If you like spicy food, add a bit more red pepper flakes or cayenne. If you don't like spicy food, reduce the heat.

Use Fresh Herbs: They add so much freshness to the dish, so don't leave them out!

Don't Forget the Lemon: The lightness of the lemon counteracts the richness of the butter sauce.

Final Thoughts

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is that kind of dish that just sounds like it's going to be an immediate classic. It's the whole shebang—all tender chicken, creamy and buttery sauce, cooked pasta, and just the right amount of kick to spice things up. Whether you're eating it for a Tuesday night dinner, date night dinner, or just because you're brutally hungry for something ridiculously tasty, this recipe isn't going to disappoint.

So next time you’re in the mood for a comforting, indulgent, and flavor-packed meal, give this Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta a shot. It’s easy to make, ridiculously satisfying, and guaranteed to be a hit with anyone who takes a bite.

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