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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

The Crispy Chef
This easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Ready in 30 minutes, it's packed with juicy chicken, rich garlicky cowboy butter, and creamy pasta for a comforting, flavor-loaded meal your whole family will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 610 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Tongs

Ingredients
  

  • For the Cowboy Butter:
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley or 1 tbsp dried
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • For the Pasta:
  • 12 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • Fresh herbs optional, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  • Make the cowboy butter: In a bowl, combine softened butter, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
  • Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through (5–7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
  • Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add half the cowboy butter. Once melted, stir in heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Combine: Add cooked pasta to skillet and toss. Add reserved pasta water if needed. Add cooked chicken and cherry tomatoes. Toss again.
  • Finish: Add remaining cowboy butter. Let melt into the pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan and optional fresh herbs.

Notes

You can make the cowboy butter 3 days in advance and store in the fridge.
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.
Rotisserie chicken can be used for faster prep.
Feel free to swap ingredients based on what you have—this recipe is very flexible.

Nutrition

Calories: 610kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 32gFat: 33g
Keyword Cajun chicken pasta, Cowboy Butter
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