Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish combining tender chicken pieces sautéed in buttery garlic sauce with perfectly cooked pasta, all enveloped in a rich, cheesy, and slightly spicy sauce. Ideal for a comforting weeknight meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
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
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for a lighter option)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 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, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion over medium heat until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, to infuse the butter with flavor.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. If the sauce gets too thick, use the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency to your liking.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken with the creamy sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Let cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and allow it to melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness in the dish.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds color and freshness but is optional.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, buttery garlic pasta, Italian seasoning pasta, quick dinner recipe