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cowboy-butter-chicken-pasta-recipe--easy--creamy-and-flavorful---k-popkitchen_feature

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta - Easy Creamy One Pan Dinner Recipe

This cowboy butter chicken pasta combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, creamy sauce infused with bold southwestern spices. Perfect for busy weeknights, it comes together in one pan for easy cleanup and delivers restaurant-quality flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 12 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and half of the smoked paprika. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add remaining spices (smoked paprika, cayenne, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder) and stir to combine.
  4. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce begins to thicken.
  5. Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy cowboy butter sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded varieties for better melting. Adjust cayenne pepper to control spice level. Reheat leftovers with a splash of milk or cream to refresh the sauce.