Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s simple to make and perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender chicken pieces and a rich butter sauce combine with pasta for a comforting meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
• 1 pound chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 cup heavy cream (or substitute with 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

1. Step 1: 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 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes, to develop a flavorful base for the sauce.
4. Step 4: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes until it slightly thickens. Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, ensuring the pasta and chicken are well coated in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dish and allow it to melt. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or half-and-half.
• Try adding sliced mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables and flavor.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
• Using fresh Parmesan cheese will give the best flavor and melt for this dish.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh chicken, but if using frozen, make sure it’s fully thawed before cooking to ensure even cooking and best texture.

Is this dish suitable for gluten-free diets?

Yes, by choosing gluten-free pasta, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free without altering the flavors.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 112 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast sautéed in butter, combined with a rich garlic and onion cream sauce, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed with your choice of pasta. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a comforting, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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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
• 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 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

• Fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. 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. Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set it aside.
2. Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add diced chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, infusing the butter with flavor.
4. 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 about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
5. Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Toss everything together to coat in the creamy sauce and cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
6. Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and allow it to melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley for color and freshness. Serve warm and enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.

Notes

• You can substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter, dairy-free option.
• Adjust red pepper flakes according to your desired spice level.
• Reserving pasta water helps to adjust your sauce’s consistency without diluting flavor.
• Use unsalted butter to better control seasoning and reduce sodium.
• Fresh parsley adds a pop of color but can be omitted if unavailable.

Keywords: Creamy chicken pasta, Cowboy butter pasta, Easy chicken dinner, Garlic butter chicken pasta, One pan pasta dish