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One Pan Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner

This delicious 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. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it delivers restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

Instructions
  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.
  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.
  3. Add chicken broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
  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.
  5. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, and dried parsley. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
  6. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Don't overcook the garlic as burnt garlic becomes bitter. Use a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven to accommodate all ingredients. Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.