Why make this recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is the perfect dish for those who crave something creamy, savory, and packed with flavor. It combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, buttery sauce that brings everything together. This recipe is not only easy to make but also quick, making it an excellent choice for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress friends and family with minimal effort. Plus, it’s comforting and delicious—definitely a crowd-pleaser!
How to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
- Pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine) – 12 ounces
- Chicken breast – 1 pound, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Butter – 4 tablespoons (unsalted is recommended for better flavor control)
- Garlic – 4 cloves, minced
- Onion – 1 medium, diced
- Heavy cream – 1 cup (or substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option)
- Chicken broth – 1 cup (low-sodium preferred)
- Parmesan cheese – 1 cup, grated
- Italian seasoning – 1 tablespoon
- Red pepper flakes – 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper – to taste
- Fresh parsley – for garnish (optional)
Directions:
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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). Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain it, and set it aside.
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Sauté 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 about 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
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Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes). This step infuses the butter with flavor, making your sauce deliciously aromatic.
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Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. If it becomes too thick, use your reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
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Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Toss everything together to ensure the chicken and pasta are coated in the creamy sauce, and let it cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
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Serve: Finally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to add a pop of color. Enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm!
How to serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
Serve this delicious pasta hot, topped with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley for a vibrant look. Pair it with a side salad or garlic bread to create a complete meal that everyone will love.
How to store Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
To store leftovers, let the pasta cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. To reheat, use the microwave or a stove, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to restore the creamy texture.
Tips to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
- Use a pasta that holds sauce well, like penne or rigatoni, to enhance the dish’s flavor.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- For extra richness, substitute some of the heavy cream with cream cheese.
- Adding vegetables like spinach or tomatoes can boost the nutrition of this dish.
Variation
You can customize this recipe by adding different proteins like shrimp or sausage. For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with sautéed mushrooms and add extra vegetables, maintaining the creamy sauce for that rich flavor.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes! You can use any type of pasta you prefer, such as spaghetti, linguine, or even gluten-free options.
2. Is there a dairy-free version?
Absolutely! You can replace heavy cream with coconut milk and omit the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
3. What can I do if the sauce is too thick?
If your sauce becomes too thick, simply add some of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 ounces Pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine) Use pasta that holds sauce well.
- 1 pound Chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Butter Unsalted is recommended for better flavor control.
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 1 cup Heavy cream Can substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option.
- 1 cup Chicken broth Low-sodium preferred.
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes Adjust to taste.
- to taste Salt and pepper
- for 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). Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain it, and set it aside.
Sauté 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 about 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Create the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
Add Cream and Broth
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- If it becomes too thick, use your reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
Combine Pasta and Chicken
- Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Toss everything together to ensure the chicken and pasta are coated in the creamy sauce, and let it cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serve
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
