Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, savory dish featuring tender chicken, a luscious buttery sauce, and comforting pasta. Infused with smoky paprika and rich Parmesan cheese, this recipe is quick, versatile, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal or a special gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs

Sauce

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup heavy cream or half and half
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

8 oz wide egg noodles or pasta of choice

Garnish & Seasoning

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season the boneless chicken breasts or thighs generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown on both sides and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles or your chosen pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, and set aside.
Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to brown it. Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to combine. Add smoked paprika and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
Combine and Finish: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together, gradually adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

Notes

Butter Quality Matters: Use unsalted, high-quality butter for the richest flavor and better control of saltiness.
Don’t Overcook Pasta: Cook noodles just al dente to prevent mushiness when tossed with sauce.
Use Reserved Pasta Water: A splash of pasta water helps the sauce cling to the noodles perfectly.
Let the Chicken Rest: Rest sliced chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
Fresh Garlic is Key: Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor and aroma.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 550 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, smoky paprika pasta, easy chicken dinner, weeknight chicken pasta