Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

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Bold, buttery, weeknight comfort

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is rich, creamy, and packed with bold flavors that feel straight out of a steakhouse—yet it’s easy enough for a busy weeknight. Juicy chicken, tender pasta, and fresh spinach are tossed in a buttery garlic sauce with herbs, lemon, and a touch of heat for that signature cowboy butter kick. It’s comforting, crowd-pleasing, and comes together fast with simple ingredients. If you love creamy chicken pasta and easy one-pan dinners, this recipe is guaranteed to land on repeat 🍝✨.

⏱️ Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Servings: 4

📝 Ingredients List

  • 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)
  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional garnish: chopped parsley

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

  • Large pot for pasta
  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Wooden spoon or tongs
  • Colander

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain 🍝.
  2. Sear the chicken
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside 🍗.
  3. Build the cowboy butter
    Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in garlic, smoked paprika, chili flakes, and Dijon. Cook for 30–45 seconds until fragrant 🧄🧈.
  4. Make it creamy
    Pour in heavy cream and lemon juice. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and looks glossy.
  5. Combine everything
    Add cooked pasta and spinach to the skillet. Toss until spinach wilts, then return chicken to the pan. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if needed for a silky sauce.
  6. Finish & serve
    Stir in Parmesan, taste, and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve hot while creamy and irresistible 😍.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Juicier chicken: Thighs stay extra tender in creamy sauces.
  • Make it spicy: Add hot sauce or extra chili flakes.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk.
  • Add-ins: Mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes are delicious upgrades.

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