Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta (Irresistibly Creamy!)

If you love bold flavors and creamy comfort meals, this cowboy butter chicken pasta is about to become your new favorite dinner. It combines juicy chicken, rich buttery garlic sauce, and tender pasta in one cozy, crave-worthy dish that feels indulgent but still easy enough for a weeknight.

I especially love this cowboy butter chicken pasta because it comes together fast and uses simple ingredients you probably already have. The cowboy butter sauce adds that irresistible garlicky, slightly spicy kick that makes every bite exciting without being overwhelming.

Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, this pasta delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to save, pin, and make again and again.

More Recipes To Try

• Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Bites
• Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Ingredients

• Pasta – 12 oz (340 g) penne, rotini, or fettuccine
• Chicken breast – 1 lb (450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
• Unsalted butter – ½ cup (115 g)
• Garlic – 4 cloves, minced
• Heavy cream – 1 cup (240 ml)
• Chicken broth – ½ cup (120 ml)
• Parmesan cheese – ¾ cup (75 g), freshly grated
• Fresh parsley – 2 tbsp, finely chopped

Seasonings

• Smoked paprika – 1 tsp (2 g)
• Garlic powder – 1 tsp (3 g)
• Onion powder – ½ tsp (1 g)
• Crushed red pepper flakes – ½ tsp (or to taste)
• Salt – ¾ tsp (or to taste)
• Black pepper – ½ tsp

Optional Add-Ins

• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp (15 ml) for brightness
• Chili flakes or cayenne – for extra heat
• Spinach – 1 cup (30 g), stirred in at the end

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Season the chicken
   Season the chicken pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss well so every piece is coated.
3. Cook the chicken
   Melt 2 tbsp (28 g) of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Make the cowboy butter sauce
   In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
5. Build the creamy sauce
   Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring gently. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Add crushed red pepper flakes and stir.
6. Add cheese and chicken
   Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
7. Combine with pasta
   Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until perfectly creamy.
8. Finish and garnish
   Remove from heat. Stir in fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Tips & Variations

• Don’t overcook the chicken
  Cook the chicken just until golden and cooked through. Overcooking can make it dry, especially in creamy sauces.
• Control the spice level
  Love heat? Add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne. Prefer it mild? Reduce the chili and let the garlic butter shine.
• Make it extra creamy
  For an even richer cowboy butter chicken pasta, add an extra 2–3 tbsp (30–45 ml) of heavy cream at the end.
• Swap the protein
  Try shrimp, turkey, or even rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
• Add veggies
  Spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes add color and flavor without extra effort.
• Lighten it up
  Replace half of the heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk for a lighter sauce.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight dinner
  Serve this cowboy butter chicken pasta hot and fresh with a simple green salad or steamed broccoli for an easy, satisfying meal.
• With bread on the side
  Pair it with garlic bread, dinner rolls, or crusty bread to soak up every bit of that creamy cowboy butter sauce.
• For guests or family gatherings
  Serve in a large pasta bowl, topped with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley for a cozy, impressive presentation.
• Make it a complete plate
  Add roasted vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, or green beans on the side for balance.
• Date-night cozy vibes
  Serve with a light white wine, sparkling water with lemon, or iced tea for a relaxed but special dinner.

FAQs

Recipe

Yield: 1 large skillet

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Print

This cowboy butter chicken pasta is rich, creamy, and packed with bold garlic butter flavor. Juicy chicken, tender pasta, and a cozy sauce make it perfect for busy weeknights or comfort dinners.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• Pasta – 12 oz (340 g) penne, rotini, or fettuccine
• Chicken breast – 1 lb (450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
• Unsalted butter – ½ cup (115 g)
• Garlic – 4 cloves, minced
• Heavy cream – 1 cup (240 ml)
• Chicken broth – ½ cup (120 ml)
• Parmesan cheese – ¾ cup (75 g), freshly grated
• Fresh parsley – 2 tbsp, chopped

Seasonings

• Smoked paprika – 1 tsp (2 g)
• Garlic powder – 1 tsp (3 g)
• Onion powder – ½ tsp (1 g)
• Crushed red pepper flakes – ½ tsp (or to taste)
• Salt – ¾ tsp (or to taste)
• Black pepper – ½ tsp

Optional

• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp (15 ml)
• Spinach – 1 cup (30 g)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water, then drain.
   
2. Season the chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
   
3. Melt 2 tbsp (28 g) butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
   
4. Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
   
5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
   
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add crushed red pepper flakes.
   
7. Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat.
   
8. Add pasta and mix well. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
   
9. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley and lemon juice if using. Adjust seasoning and serve.

Notes

Add extra cream for a richer sauce.

Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.

Adjust spice level to taste.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: About 1½ cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 620Carbohydrates: 48g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients used.

If you’re craving a cozy, flavor-packed dinner that feels a little indulgent but still easy to make, this cowboy butter chicken pasta truly checks all the boxes. It’s creamy, garlicky, and comforting in the best way, with juicy chicken and tender pasta in every bite.

I hope you give this cowboy butter chicken pasta a try and make it part of your regular dinner rotation. Don’t forget to save it to Pinterest, share it with someone who loves bold comfort food, and let me know in the comments how it turned out for you. Happy cooking 🤍✨