Description
Bold, buttery, and bursting with flavor—this Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a crave-worthy combo of spicy-seasoned chicken, garlicky cowboy butter, and tender pasta. It’s the ultimate comfort dish with a wild western twist that’ll make your tastebuds dance!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice), cooked and drained
- Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Season the Chicken:
In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.Sear the Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, Dijon mustard, parsley, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.Cream It Up:
Pour in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.Combine Pasta & Chicken:
Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then toss in the cooked pasta. Mix well until everything is coated in the cowboy butter sauce.Serve:
Garnish with more parsley or chives if desired, and serve hot!
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute cream with half-and-half or whole milk.
- Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes for extra veggies.
- Make it spicier with an extra pinch of cayenne or hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Fusion