One Pan Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner
One Pan Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner
Get ready to saddle up for the most delicious weeknight dinner you’ll ever make! This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a luxurious garlic butter sauce all cooked together in one pan for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup. Whether you’re cooking for your family or just craving some serious comfort food, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz penne pasta (or your favorite short pasta)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 2: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Add chicken broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
Step 4: Add uncooked pasta to the skillet along with enough water to just cover the pasta (about 2-3 cups). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
Step 5: Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, and dried parsley. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
Step 6: Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 7: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overcook the garlic: Burnt garlic becomes bitter – cook just until fragrant
- Use the right pan: A large, deep skillet or Dutch oven works best to accommodate all ingredients
- Adjust the heat: If using cayenne pepper, start with less and add more to your preferred spice level
- Fresh vs dried herbs: While dried parsley works well, fresh parsley adds bright flavor as garnish
- Pasta alternatives: Rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle all work beautifully in this recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully and add extra flavor. Just adjust cooking time as thighs may take slightly longer to cook through.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or cream to refresh the sauce.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta and ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free.
Is this dish too spicy for kids?
You can omit the cayenne pepper entirely or reduce it to just a pinch. The smoked paprika provides flavor without much heat.
One Pan Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner
Ingredients
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add chicken broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
- Add uncooked pasta to the skillet along with enough water to just cover the pasta (about 2-3 cups). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, and dried parsley. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
