Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

Creamy pasta with chicken, vegetables, and zesty herb butter sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 cups baby spinach

→ Cowboy Butter Sauce

08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
09 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Creamy Finish

19 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
20 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add red and yellow bell peppers and red onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, parsley, and chives. Stir until melted and aromatic.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir until sauce is smooth and creamy.
06 - Return cooked chicken to skillet, add spinach, and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
07 - Add drained pasta, tossing to coat in sauce. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and extra lemon juice if desired. Serve hot, garnished with extra herbs and Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The zesty cowboy butter sauce transforms ordinary pasta into something that tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen
  • Everything cooks in one skillet besides the pasta, meaning less cleanup and more time eating
  • The combination of smoky, creamy, and slightly spicy flavors makes every bite exciting
02 -
  • Reserving pasta water is not optional here because that starchy liquid is what binds the sauce to the pasta properly
  • Do not let the garlic burn or it will turn bitter and ruin the delicate balance of the cowboy butter
  • The sauce thickens quickly as it stands off the heat, so add that pasta water immediately if needed
03 -
  • Use room temperature cream so it incorporates smoothly without breaking the sauce
  • Grate your own Parmesan fresh because pre-grated cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting

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