In case you would like to have a cozy meal with a deep butter-flavored taste, go and have Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.
This pasta will be a favorite recipe to you, whether you are an experienced cook or you are a beginner or not. I will now reveal to you all you need to know about it: what cowboy butter is, how to cook it, tips, and ideas that make it your own.
What is Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta?
The title is rustic, but it is good. Cowboy butter is a butter sauce which began when people were roasting meat, notably steak, as one of the side dishes. It is normally prepared with butter, garlic, herbs, spices and perhaps a hint of heat with chili flakes or cayenne.
In pasta, cowboy butter turns into a creamy, rich dish that smears noodles as well as chicken providing savory, smoky with a slight touch of spices. A splash of lemon juice is added to the abundant butter, and Dijon mustard to bring brightness.
Why You Will Like This?
- Zesty lite: Fresh garlic, paprika, and lemon juice form are very strong in taste and yet the dish is not heavy.
- Creamy and easygoing: Heavy cream and Parmesan are combined to create a creamy sauce that falls on every bite.
- Fast and simple: Prepared within 40 minutes with stuff in the pantry.
- Easy: Add veggies and herbs to change pasta shape or add your own preference.
- And it fits every occasion: It is great weeknights or parties, everybody will be happy.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Chicken:
- 1lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized portions.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika will give it an additional dimension)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Black pepper and salt to taste.
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice (fettuccine, penne or rotini are best)
- Salt (for boiling water)
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon flakes of crushed red pepper (add more or less to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese that has been grated.
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
- Parsley, chopped (as a garnish)
Step By Step Instructions:
1: Cook the Pasta Perfectly
Bring a lot of water in a big pot with a good measure of salt and boil. Add your pasta, and cook till hard but cooked through. You should retain approximately 1/2 cup of pasta water before it is drained. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2: Season the Chicken
As the pasta is cooking, in a bowl, add the chicken pieces; paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This provides a smoky taste that is equivalent to the sauce.
3: Rebel Chicken and turn it To Golden Perfection.
Warm olive oil in a huge pan slowly. Add the cooked chicken and cook 5 to 7 minutes, turning it over, till it turns golden brown and well cooked. Take out the chicken and retain to the side.
4: Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and put the butter in the skillet. As soon as it melts, add the garlic and cook 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant, but do not burn. Then add the pepper flakes, mustard, as well as paprika and stir to combine.
With the heavy cream slowly add, beat thoroughly to ensure that the sauce is free of lumps. Simmer lightly 2-3 minutes or until slightly thickened.
4: Add Cheese and Brightness
Add the Parmesan and stir it until it melts into the sauce. Add lemon juice to add acidic flavors to even out the richness. In case the sauce is a little too thick, add a splash of the remaining pasta water until the sauce is as thick as you like.
5: Bring It All Together
Put the cooked chicken back in the skillet and stir until it has been covered in the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and mix once more with care ensuring all the noodles are on the buttery sauce.
5: Garnish and Serve
Taste and add more salt or pepper to the taste. Color and flavor Sprinkle chopped parsley and additional Parmesan on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pro Hacks for the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta:
- Do not cook the chicken too long, take it out as soon as it no longer has the pink hue.
- Fresh garlic is better, it is better than tinned or powdered.
- More or less red pepper flakes to increase or decrease in accordance with your level of spice tolerance.
- Add pasta water to ensure that the sauce does not reduce the noodles.
- Substitute paprika with a more woodsy and smoked one.
Modifications in Protocol to Make It Your Own:
- Some for chicken can be replaced by shrimp or another protein, tofu.
- Include vegetable mushrooms that have been sautéed, spinach or roasted red pepper as additional vegetables.
- Heavy cream is substituted with half and half to make a lighter sauce.
- You can also add crispy bacon or pancetta to add even more savory-ness.
- To add on to the flavor profiles, sprinkle with cheddar or mozzarella cheese.
Leftover Storing and Reheating:
Refrigeration Store Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days. Add milk/cream and have to warm it in the microwave oven to restore the creamy texture to the sauce.
Final Thoughts:
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is an unbeatable combo of bold, buttery flavors and creamy indulgence. It’s simple enough for weeknight cooking yet impressive enough for guests. Once you try it, this recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite.
Happy Cooking!