Craving something bold, creamy, and unforgettable? This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is your answer. Packed with zesty cowboy butter flavors, this dish combines juicy chicken, rotini pasta, and a luxurious, spicy cream sauce that delivers restaurant-quality taste in under 30 minutes. With cowboy butter trending across food blogs and social platforms, home chefs are eager for ways to bring this bold flavor into everyday meals. This recipe is the perfect answer. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal prepping for the week, Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta brings heat, richness, and satisfaction to your dinner table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavors: A perfect fusion of buttery richness and smoky spice.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes—ideal for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Works with any pasta shape or protein.
- Family Favorite: Kid-approved and adult-adored for its creamy, spicy kick.
Ingredients
- 16 oz rotini pasta (or your favorite shape)
- 2 lbs chicken tenderloins, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 stick (8 tbsp) butter (salted or unsalted)
- 2–3 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 cup diced onions
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp honey Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp smoked paprika (divided)
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until it’s tender but still firm to the bite, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, then cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: Using the same pan, melt the butter. Add garlic and onions; cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until onions are soft.
- Flavor the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, honey Dijon mustard, the remaining 1 tsp smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, parsley, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Mix thoroughly and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Combine Everything: Return cooked chicken to the pan along with the pasta. Toss gently to coat everything in the rich sauce.
- Serve Warm: Plate up and enjoy the spicy, creamy magic.
Helpful Tips
- Use Pre-cooked Chicken: Save time with rotisserie chicken.
- Adjust Heat Levels: Reduce cayenne and red pepper for a milder version.
- Double the Sauce: Love it extra creamy? Increase butter and cream.
- Fresh Herbs: Top with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives for vibrant color and freshness.
Substitutions And Variations
- Protein Swaps: Try shrimp, steak strips, or tofu for different textures.
- Low-Carb Option: Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
- Dairy-Free: Swap in coconut cream and plant-based butter for a non-dairy version.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute pasta with your favorite gluten-free variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It reheats beautifully. Just store in the fridge and warm on the stove with a splash of cream.
Is this dish spicy?
There is a noticeable heat, but you can tone it down easily by adjusting the spice level to your liking.
Can I freeze Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta?
Though best enjoyed fresh, it can be frozen. Seal it in an airtight container and enjoy within a month.
Storage Instructions
Leftovers should be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat gently over low heat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a bit of cream or milk to restore its creamy texture.
Conclusion
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food mash-up, uniting spicy flair and buttery decadence in one incredibly creamy dish. It’s fast, flavorful, and endlessly versatile—perfect for any night of the week. Try it out and let us know how you liked it in the comments. Don’t forget to share your variations or tag us in your delicious creations on social media!
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a bold, creamy, and spicy dish that combines juicy chicken, rich cowboy butter sauce, and tender pasta for an easy weeknight dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for families craving comfort food with a kick. Try it tonight and make dinner exciting again!
Ingredients
16 oz rotini pasta (or any pasta of choice)
2 lbs chicken tenderloins, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 stick butter (salted or unsalted)
2–3 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup diced onions
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp honey Dijon mustard
2 tsp smoked paprika (divided)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup heavy cream
1–2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until it’s tender but still firm to the bite, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, then cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: Using the same pan, melt the butter. Add garlic and onions; cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until onions are soft.
- Flavor the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, honey Dijon mustard, the remaining 1 tsp smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, parsley, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Mix thoroughly and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Combine Everything: Return cooked chicken to the pan along with the pasta. Toss gently to coat everything in the rich sauce.
- Serve Warm: Plate up and enjoy the spicy, creamy magic.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
Adjust spice to taste by reducing cayenne and red pepper.
Make it dairy-free using coconut cream and plant-based butter.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous portion
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 35g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg