Name: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced; 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or preferred type); 2 tbsp olive oil; 4 tbsp butter; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 tsp lemon zest; 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste); 1/2 tsp paprika; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; Salt and black pepper, to taste; Optional: grated Parmesan cheese, for topping

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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a bold, buttery, and flavor-packed dish that brings together juicy chicken, tender pasta, and a zesty, garlicky cowboy butter sauce. With a perfect balance of heat, herbs, and richness, this pasta is a satisfying twist on comfort food with a Southwestern kick.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it delivers a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes, using simple ingredients and just one skillet. The cowboy butter—made with garlic, lemon, Dijon, herbs, and spices—turns ordinary chicken pasta into a crave-worthy dinner. It’s spicy, buttery, savory, and just indulgent enough to keep everyone coming back for seconds. Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced
Pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite type)
Butter
Garlic, minced
Dijon mustard
Lemon juice and zest
Crushed red pepper flakes
Paprika
Parsley, finely chopped
Thyme
Salt and black pepper
Olive oil (for cooking the chicken)
Optional: grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

I cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, I season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika, then sear it in a skillet with a bit of olive oil until golden and cooked through. I remove it from the pan and keep it warm.
In the same skillet, I melt the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant.
I stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice and zest, red pepper flakes, thyme, and parsley. I let it simmer for a minute or two until the flavors blend together.
I return the chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the cowboy butter sauce.
Finally, I add the cooked pasta and stir everything together until well coated. I sometimes finish it off with a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra richness.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4 people and is ready in about 25 minutes from start to finish. It’s quick enough for busy weeknights but flavorful enough for a weekend dinner treat.

Variations

When I want a smoky twist, I add smoked paprika or a bit of chipotle powder to the butter sauce.
For a creamier version, I stir in a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese at the end.
I sometimes toss in vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or roasted red peppers to make it more colorful and nutritious.
If I’m low on chicken, I mix in some cooked shrimp or sausage for a different protein profile.
To make it gluten-free, I simply use my favorite gluten-free pasta.

storage/reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I add a little splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave. The butter sauce can thicken in the fridge, but it melts right back to silky goodness when reheated properly. Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

FAQs

What is cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is a zesty, spiced compound butter made with garlic, lemon, herbs, Dijon, and chili flakes. I use it as a sauce for this pasta to add bold, buttery flavor with a hint of heat.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, if I have leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, I skip the cooking step and just warm it in the butter sauce before adding the pasta.

How spicy is cowboy butter chicken pasta?

It has a gentle kick from the red pepper flakes, but I can always adjust the heat by using more or less to suit my taste.

Can I make this ahead of time?

I usually make it fresh, but the flavors develop even more after a day. Just store it properly and reheat with a bit of liquid to keep the sauce smooth.

What pasta works best for this recipe?

I like using penne or fettuccine because they soak up the sauce beautifully, but honestly, any pasta I have on hand will work just fine.

Conclusion

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is one of those meals I turn to when I want something fast, flavorful, and a little bit indulgent. The rich, garlicky butter sauce paired with tender chicken and pasta creates a dish that’s bold, comforting, and easy to customize. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that makes dinner feel special with minimal effort.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a bold and buttery comfort dish that combines juicy chicken, tender pasta, and a zesty cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon, herbs, and spices. It’s fast, flavorful, and indulgently satisfying.

Author: Lizaa
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced
12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or preferred type)
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tsp dried thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional: grated Parmesan cheese, for topping

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Instructions

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add Dijon mustard, lemon juice and zest, red pepper flakes, thyme, and parsley. Stir and simmer for 1–2 minutes.
Return chicken to the skillet and toss in the cowboy butter sauce to coat.
Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until everything is well combined and heated through.
Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Add smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky variation.
For a creamier version, stir in a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese.
Mix in veggies like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or roasted red peppers for extra color and nutrition.
Substitute chicken with shrimp or sausage if preferred.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.