Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – Creamy Garlic Dinner Recipe (Easy & Flavorful)
A silky, smoky, and zesty one-pan pasta dish with golden butter chicken, lemon-Dijon sauce, and smoky paprika. Ready in 20 minutes for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch dice
300g (2 cups uncooked) penne or fettuccine pasta
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 strip lemon zest
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp thyme or Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
½ cup heavy cream
Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until 2 minutes under package instructions. Drain, saving ¼ cup pasta water.
Melt 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, 5–7 minutes.
Add garlic to the skillet and sauté 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, red pepper flakes, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 minutes.
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens. Stir in grated Parmesan.
Add drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to coat and heat thoroughly. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
Use a larger skillet to avoid overcrowding chicken and ensure even browning.
Adjust heat level by adding more red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
Leftover sauce blends beautifully with garlic bread or scrambled eggs the next day.
Find it online: https://cookingwithramsay.com/best-cowboy-butter-chicken-pasta/