Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a quick and creamy one-pan dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a rich butter, garlic, and cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a flavorful, comforting meal.
- 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
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce & Seasonings
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk as a lighter substitute)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, to infuse the butter with flavor.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir to combine and add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Adjust the sauce consistency using reserved pasta water as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat thoroughly and cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dish and allow it to melt. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water to help adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor results.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture at its best.
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