Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
A hearty and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich cowboy butter sauce with vibrant flavors and creamy texture.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
For the Pasta
- 1 lb pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or your favorite shape)
For the Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
For Serving
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about one cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
Cooking Chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt some butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and stir for roughly 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley) and cook for another minute.
- Add red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, combining thoroughly. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, bringing mixture to a simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combining Ingredients
- Add the cooked pasta and browned chicken into the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if necessary for desired consistency. Cook for another minute or two.
Serving
- Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Notes
To enhance the flavors, it is recommended to let the dish sit for a few minutes before serving. Pair with a side salad and bread for a complete meal.