Cowboy Butter Garlic Chicken Tortellini with Fire-Roasted Red Peppers Recipe
Cowboy Butter Garlic Chicken Tortellini with Fire-Roasted Red Peppers is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken bites, cheese-filled tortellini, and a rich cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, herbs, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and smoky spices. The addition of fire-roasted red peppers adds a sweet, smoky depth, making this quick and satisfying meal perfect for any dinner occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to spice level)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pasta
- 1 (9 oz) package cheese tortellini
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chopped fire-roasted red peppers (from a jar or freshly roasted)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions until tender but still slightly firm (al dente). Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water for later, if needed to thin the sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, then add them to the skillet. Sear until golden and fully cooked through, about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally to brown evenly. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter, scraping up any browned bits left from the chicken. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes to allow flavors to blend and the butter to turn a deep golden color.
- Add the Cream and Roasted Red Peppers: Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine with the butter mixture. Add chopped fire-roasted red peppers and let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly and the peppers soften.
- Combine Everything Together: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat with the sauce. Add the cooked tortellini and toss gently until well coated. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese gradually while stirring until melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency. Let everything cook together for an additional minute to meld flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and chicken mixture, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and optionally a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy, garlicky, spicy, and smoky flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh or refrigerated tortellini for the best texture and flavor; dried works but absorbs sauce differently.
- Don’t overcook chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Add Parmesan cheese gradually to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce without clumps.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes for preferred spice level; omit for mild or add cayenne for extra heat.
- Fire-roasted red peppers can be substituted or supplemented with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Leftovers store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk to restore creaminess.
- Avoid freezing to prevent cream sauce separation.
- For lighter sauce, replace half of heavy cream with milk or chicken broth.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken, Garlic Chicken Tortellini, Fire-Roasted Red Peppers, Creamy Pasta, Spicy Butter Sauce, Western Style Sauce, Quick Dinner, Comfort Food
