Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy, and Flavorful Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken pieces with a rich butter and garlic sauce, tossed with your favorite pasta. This easy-to-make recipe balances the richness of butter and cream with the zing of Italian seasoning and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a delicious home-cooked meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 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 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
- Fresh parsley for garnish (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, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add diced chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. This infuses the butter with aromatic flavors.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. If too thick, adjust consistency using reserved pasta water.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Toss to coat everything evenly and cook for 2 more minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, letting it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta!
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dish.
- You can substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter or dairy-free option.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- Reserve pasta water helps in adjusting sauce consistency and ensures the sauce clings to pasta better.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to manage overall salt content.
- Fresh parsley adds color and freshness but is optional.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, butter chicken pasta, pasta with garlic butter sauce
