Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
An easy and delicious dish that combines tender chicken and creamy sauce over pasta, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing family.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces Pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
Chicken
- 1 pound Chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
Butter and Aromatics
- 4 tablespoons Butter (unsalted is recommended)
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Onion, diced
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup Heavy cream (or substitute with coconut milk)
- 1 cup Chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional) For garnish
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 and let it cook for another 2 minutes.
Serve
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Use fresh ingredients for better flavor. You can add vegetables like spinach or broccoli for more nutrition. Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a different taste.