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Ultimate Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe - Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner

This one-pan Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich creamy garlic butter sauce with herbs and spices. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers sophisticated comfort food with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine work best)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cut chicken breasts into uniform 1-inch pieces and mince garlic finely. Measure out all seasonings and have them ready.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and let it melt. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and half of smoked paprika. Cook chicken until golden brown on all sides (5-7 minutes), then remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add pasta directly to the skillet.
  4. Cook pasta according to package directions, reducing cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Add more broth if needed during cooking.
  5. Return cooked chicken to skillet. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, remaining seasonings, and cayenne pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the pasta.

Notes

Use pasta with ridges or texture for better sauce adhesion. Don't overcook chicken - remove when just cooked through. Fresh herbs elevate the dish to restaurant-quality. Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.