Looking for a dinner that’s packed with flavor and totally family-approved? This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta has it all—juicy chicken, a creamy, zesty sauce with just the right amount of spice, and pasta to bring it all together. It’s one of those dishes that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (and maybe even thirds)!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Bursting with Flavor: The creamy, zesty cowboy butter sauce brings a bold and spicy kick to every bite.
- Comfort Food Favorite: Juicy chicken and tender pasta make this dish hearty and satisfying for the whole family.
- Easy Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, it’s a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike!
🥘 Ingredients
- Rotini Pasta: Provides a delightful texture, perfect for holding the sauce and flavors in each bite.
- Chicken Tenderloins: Deliver lean protein, adding a tender and juicy element to the dish.
- Unsalted Butter: Contributes richness, creating a smooth and creamy base for the sauce.
- Garlic: Infuses depth and aromatic pungency, enhancing the savory profile of the pasta.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Imparts umami richness, adding a complex, savory layer to the dish.
- Honey Dijon Mustard: Offers a tangy sweetness, balancing the savory and spicy elements.
- Paprika: Brings warmth and a mild smoky flavor, enriching the overall taste.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adds a kick of heat, providing a spicy undertone to the pasta.
- Dried Parsley: Introduces a fresh, herbal note, complementing the richness of the other ingredients.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Enhance the spice level, adding a bold, zesty finish.
- Diced Onions: Provide sweetness and a subtle crunch, contributing to the depth of flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a burst of brightness, balancing the creamy and rich components.
- Heavy Cream: Delivers creaminess, enveloping the ingredients in a luscious, velvety sauce.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Low-carb swap—zoodles or spaghetti squash keep it light but still tasty.
- Shrimp twist—swap chicken for spicy, smoky shrimp for a seafood kick.
- Veggie-loaded—roasted zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers make it meat-free and delicious!
🔪 How To Make Cowboy Butter Pasta
Step One: Boil the noodles in a large pot of water until cooked. Drain and set aside. Chop the chicken and season it in a small bowl with 1 teaspoon paprika, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Stir to coat.
Step Two: Heat a large pan with a drizzle of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken, stir, and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
Step Three: In the same pan, lower the heat to medium-low. Add butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon paprika, cayenne pepper, parsley, red pepper flakes, and onion.
Step Four: Stir the mixture until everything melts together and is fully combined.
Step Five: Add the cooked noodles and chicken back into the pan with the sauce.
Step Six: Stir thoroughly, ensuring the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the sauce.
Step Seven: Pour in the lemon juice and heavy cream. Stir again, then sprinkle extra parsley on top.
Step Eight: Plate your butter pasta and serve. Enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Marinate the Chicken: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with paprika and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Save Pasta Water: Keep a cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency if needed.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a brighter, fresher taste.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in grated Parmesan at the end for a cheesy, creamy twist!
💭 FAQs
Yes, cook the chicken and prepare the sauce ahead, then combine it with freshly cooked pasta before serving.
Add extra cayenne, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños to the sauce for more heat.
Cowboy butter stands out due to its tangy, spicy kick from Dijon mustard, cayenne, and Worcestershire sauce.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some great ways to serve Cowboy Butter Pasta.
- Garlic Bread or Parmesan Breadsticks: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread or breadsticks to soak up the creamy cowboy butter sauce.
- Paprika Shrimp or CAir Fryer Chicken Cutlets: Pair the pasta with grilled shrimp or chicken for added protein and flavor.
- Roasted Vegetables: Complement the dish with roasted Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or zucchini for a fresh, earthy side.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: For a hearty alternative, serve the cowboy butter sauce over mashed potatoes instead of pasta.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers: Serve alongside bell peppers filled for a hearty addition.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Cowboy Butter Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Rotini Pasta
- 2 lb. Chicken Tenderloins
- 1 Stick Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp. Garlic Minced
- 2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbsp. Honey Dijon Mustard
- 2 tsp. Paprika
- 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Cup Onion Diced
- 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
Instructions
- Boil the noodles in a large pot of water until cooked. Drain and set aside. Chop the chicken and season it in a small bowl with 1 teaspoon paprika, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Stir to coat.
- Heat a large pan with a drizzle of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken, stir, and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
- In the same pan, lower the heat to medium-low. Add butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon paprika, cayenne pepper, parsley, red pepper flakes, and onion.
- Stir the mixture until everything melts together and is fully combined.
- Add the cooked noodles and chicken back into the pan with the sauce.
- Stir thoroughly, ensuring the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the sauce.
- Pour in the lemon juice and heavy cream. Stir again, then sprinkle extra parsley on top.
- Plate your butter pasta and serve. Enjoy!
