Description

This Garlic Cowboy Butter Bowtie Pasta with Chicken is the ultimate comfort food with a bold, flavorful twist. Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken bites are tossed with tender bowtie pasta and coated in a rich cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, herbs, lemon, and a touch of spice. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner but tasty enough to impress guests at a gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

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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Instructions

Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside while preparing the rest of the dish.
Season & Cook the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and toss them with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
Using the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the butter and let it melt, scraping the browned bits from the chicken into the sauce. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Stir well. Toss in parsley and chives, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine Everything
Return the chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss gently so the pasta and chicken are coated evenly in the cowboy butter sauce. Add splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky consistency. Stir in grated Parmesan until creamy.
Serve
Divide the pasta among bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan, parsley, or a light sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Serve hot with garlic bread or a crisp salad.

Notes

For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream when combining pasta with the sauce.
Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts for more flavor and tenderness.
Adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
Swap chicken for shrimp, steak, or roasted vegetables to change things up.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes