Garlic Cowboy Butter Bowtie Pasta with Chicken Recipe

There’s something magical about a bowl of pasta that feels like home—comforting, satisfying, and full of flavor. This Garlic Cowboy Butter Bowtie Pasta with Chicken brings all that and more to your table. With tender chicken bites, perfectly cooked bowtie pasta, and a rich cowboy butter sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and a hint of spice, this recipe is designed to impress without requiring hours in the kitchen.

The inspiration for this dish comes from the bold and rustic flavors of cowboy butter, a spiced herb butter originally meant for grilled meats. Instead of limiting it to steak or seafood, this recipe transforms it into a silky pasta sauce that clings beautifully to farfalle pasta. The result? A fusion of hearty comfort food and restaurant-style flavor that works for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or even special occasions.

If you’re searching for a pasta recipe that’s simple, delicious, and bursting with bold flavors, this one deserves a spot in your kitchen rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Skillet Simplicity: Minimal cleanup thanks to cooking the chicken and sauce in the same pan.

• Bold Cowboy Butter Flavor: Garlic, herbs, lemon, and spice create a sauce that’s both vibrant and comforting.

• Perfect for Any Occasion: Works for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.

• Customizable: Easily swap in shrimp, steak, or extra veggies.

• Comfort Meets Gourmet: Feels like something you’d order at a restaurant but is easy enough to whip up at home.

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Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Cowboy Butter Sauce

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Pasta

• 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

• ½ cup reserved pasta water

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)

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Directions

1. Cook the Pasta

Begin by preparing the base of the dish—the bowtie pasta. Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Salting the water is important because it not only seasons the pasta as it cooks but also ensures every bite has flavor from within. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then add the bowtie pasta. Stir once or twice to prevent the noodles from sticking together.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. “Al dente” means the pasta should still have a slight bite when you chew it, rather than being overly soft. This is especially important for this recipe since the pasta will be tossed with sauce and chicken in the skillet, where it will cook a little longer.

Before draining, carefully reserve about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. This liquid gold is key for finishing the sauce—it helps the cowboy butter cling to the pasta while giving the final dish a silky texture. Once drained, set the pasta aside while you move on to the chicken.

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2. Season & Cook the Chicken

Now it’s time to prepare the protein. Place the bite-sized chicken pieces into a medium bowl. Sprinkle them with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together until each piece is well coated. This seasoning step is what makes every bite of chicken flavorful, even before it’s mixed with the cowboy butter sauce.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken in a single layer. Let the chicken sear for a couple of minutes without stirring—this helps develop that golden brown crust. Afterward, stir occasionally and continue cooking until all sides are browned and the chicken is fully cooked, which usually takes about 6–8 minutes depending on the size of your pieces.

When the chicken is done, transfer it to a plate and set it aside. Don’t worry about any browned bits left in the skillet—those will add incredible flavor to the cowboy butter sauce in the next step.

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3. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce

Using the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the butter and let it melt, scraping gently at the browned bits left behind from the chicken. This creates a base full of depth and savory notes.

Once the butter is melted, stir in the minced garlic. Allow it to cook for about 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic—garlic can quickly turn bitter if overcooked, and you want it to remain sweet and aromatic.

Next, add the red pepper flakes for a little heat, Dijon mustard for tang, and fresh lemon juice to brighten the sauce. Stir well so the flavors begin to meld together. Finally, toss in the chopped parsley and chives. These fresh herbs cut through the richness of the butter and bring the sauce to life. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

At this stage, the sauce should be glossy, fragrant, and irresistible.

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4. Combine Everything

With the sauce ready, it’s time to bring the dish together. Return the cooked chicken and drained bowtie pasta to the skillet. Toss everything gently but thoroughly so the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the cowboy butter sauce.

If the sauce feels too thick or doesn’t cling to the pasta, this is where the reserved pasta water comes in. Add a splash at a time, stirring as you go, until the sauce reaches the perfect silky consistency. The starch in the pasta water binds with the butter, helping to emulsify the sauce and coat each piece of pasta beautifully.

Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. As it melts into the warm sauce, it adds a layer of creaminess and salty richness that ties the entire dish together. The pasta should now be glossy, creamy, and perfectly balanced between buttery, garlicky, spicy, and tangy flavors.

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5. Serve

Divide the cowboy butter pasta into bowls, making sure each serving gets a good mix of chicken and pasta. For finishing touches, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese over the top, add a bit of freshly chopped parsley for color, or dust lightly with Cajun seasoning for a little more heat.

Pair this pasta with warm garlic bread, which is perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce, or serve alongside a crisp green salad to balance the richness of the dish. Either way, you’ll have a meal that feels indulgent yet approachable, perfect for both busy weeknights and weekend gatherings.

Serve hot, and enjoy every bold, buttery bite.

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Recipe Notes

• Chicken Options: Swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs for a juicier bite.

• Adjusting Heat: Add more or less red pepper flakes depending on your spice tolerance.

• Pasta Choice: Farfalle is great for holding onto sauce, but penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti also work.

• Make It Creamy: Add a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese for an even richer sauce.

• Meal Prep Friendly: Cook and store the chicken and sauce separately, then combine with fresh pasta when ready to serve.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

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The Story Behind Cowboy Butter

If you’ve never tried cowboy butter before, think of it as a flavor-packed herb butter with a fiery kick. Traditionally, it’s brushed over grilled meats or used as a dipping sauce for steak. With its garlic, herbs, lemon, and spice combination, it’s the ultimate multitasker in the kitchen.

Transforming cowboy butter into a pasta sauce was a natural next step. The butter emulsifies beautifully with pasta water, creating a glossy, clingy sauce that enhances every bite. Instead of being just a finishing condiment, it becomes the heart of the dish.

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Tips for the Best Garlic Cowboy Butter Bowtie Pasta

1. Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cooking it al dente ensures the pasta holds its shape and absorbs the sauce without getting mushy.

2. Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley and chives brighten the dish and balance the richness of the butter.

3. High-Quality Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother and gives the sauce a creamier finish.

4. Layer Your Flavors: Seasoning the chicken separately makes every bite flavorful, not just the sauce.

5. Reserve Pasta Water: This starchy liquid is key to creating a silky sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.

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Variations and Substitutions

• With Shrimp: Swap chicken for shrimp for a lighter seafood twist.

• With Steak: Use seared steak bites to play up the cowboy butter’s original pairing.

• Vegetarian Version: Skip the chicken and load up on mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.

• Spicy Upgrade: Add sliced jalapeños or extra Cajun seasoning for more heat.

• Cheese Lovers’ Twist: Stir in shredded mozzarella or provolone for extra gooeyness.

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What to Serve with Cowboy Butter Pasta

• Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up extra sauce.

• Green Salad: A crisp salad with a lemon vinaigrette balances the richness of the pasta.

• Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts pair wonderfully.

• Soup Starter: Tomato basil soup makes a cozy first course.

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Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Freezer: Not ideal for freezing as the sauce can separate, but you can freeze cooked chicken separately.

• Reheating: Warm in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to refresh the sauce.

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Perfect for Every Season

This pasta dish adapts beautifully year-round:

• Spring: Add asparagus or peas for freshness.

• Summer: Serve with a crisp salad and grilled corn on the side.

• Fall: Stir in roasted butternut squash or mushrooms for earthy flavor.

• Winter: Add a touch of cream and serve with warm bread for cozy comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the chicken and sauce in advance, then boil fresh pasta when ready to serve. Combine everything just before eating for the best texture.

What if I don’t have Cajun seasoning?
You can make a quick mix with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and a pinch of cayenne.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes. Substitute plant-based butter and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

How do I keep the sauce from getting greasy?
Whisk the butter with a bit of pasta water while combining. This helps emulsify the sauce.

What pasta works best besides bowtie?
Penne, rigatoni, or even linguine would work well. Anything with ridges or curves that can hold onto the sauce is ideal.

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